UC-NRLF 


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GIFT   OF 


if^-*    va-  ev  ^-  ^^^ 


A  Child's  Glimpse  of  God 

'  for  Grown   Up  Children 


BY 


ETHEL  BLACKWELL  ROBINSON,  S.B.  M.D. 

Author  of  "The  Rehgion  of  Joy" 


BOSTON 

SHERMAN,  FRENCH  &  COMPANY 

1912 


COPYHIOHT,    1912 

Sheeman,  French  df  Company 


TO  YOU 

MY  READER 

In  these  times^  vital  with  every 
form  of  social  unrest^,  I  would  stir 
within  you  the  thought  of  individual 
responsibility^  responsibility  in  parent- 
hood^ in  the  true  freedom  of  married 
life,  in  friendships,  and  in  your  life- 
work.  And  through  all  remember  you 
are  one  unit  in  the  great  brotherhood 
of  man.  Realize  this  through  direct 
communion  with  God,  and  work  with 
this  Divine  Sympathizer. 

Emerson  says,  "Let  no  one  stand 
between  you  and  the  Father." 


PREFACE 

What  do  men  live  for?  Supreme  happiness 
or  satisfaction?  The  supreme  happiness  is 
the  highest  happiness,  is  spiritual  satisfaction; 
and  it  comes  in  a  feeling  of  radiant  victory 
born  of  nobility  of  action.  It  is  thankfulness 
and  joy  at  noble  heights  maintained  when 
tempted — the  living  up  to  the  ideal,  the  feeling 
of  greater  security  and  strength  after  the  "con- 
flict" won.  All  this  is  growth  upward,  on- 
ward. We  become  more  unselfish,  more  uni- 
versal with  a  glimpse  of  a  larger  happiness  for 
all  concerned — that  is  growth  toward  the  ideal 
— toward  God. 

Now  this  feeling  of  radiant  victory  may  grow 
and  grow  so  that  we  become  filled  with  it,  and 
conscious  of  oneness  with  all  goodness,  all  love 
and  all  unselfishness,  that  is  conscious  with 
God.  The  personality  of  God  dawns  more  and 
more  as  we  become  conscious  that  we  are  seek- 
ing to  be  good  and  true  and  unselfish  for  Some- 
One,  a  Some-One  who  runs  the  great  universe, 
a  Some-One  far  above  and  beyond  us,  who  is 
drawing  and  loving  and  leading  us  on  and  up, 
to  a  wondrous  light  of  pure  love  and  joy. 


preface 


I  have  wished  here  to  write  the  story  of  every 
human  heart,  and  to  show  its  differing  phases. 

I  have  tried  to  express  our  progress  toward 
the  ideal,  our  constant  relation  to  God,  through 
the  cycle  of  our  life — our  soul-life  in  God. 
This  little  volume  is  dedicated  by  an  older  child, 
longing  to  enlarge  upon  and  emphasize  for 
everyone  the  near  relation,  and  the  deeply  joy- 
ous relation,  of  the  individual  to  his  Heavenly 
Father.  From  the  glory  of  the  cradle,  on 
through  youth's  stress  and  strain,  and  up  to- 
ward pure  love  and  marriage  and  friendship 
and  achievement  and  a  growing  God-conscious- 
ness with  its  growing  joy,  toward  and  beyond 
the  beautiful  wonder  of  death. 

Do  we  not  believe  with  reason  that  God  is 
a  loving  and  joyous  God,  wisely  directing  His 
own  glorious  plans?  Then  must  we  not  seek 
to  follow  after  Him !  We  will  not  trust  in  our 
own  old  short-sighted  love  and  puerile  joy,  but 
in  His  noble  love  and  exalted  j  oy  !  This  is  the 
God  I  see. 


CONTENTS 

PART  I.     A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
CHILD-LIFE 

PAGE 

THE    parents'    petition 1 

ANGEL-CHILDREN 1 

LITTLE     WHO? 2 

THE  CALL  OF   THE  UNBORN 3 

NOT    MINE,   BUT    GOD's S 

BEAUTIFUL   BABY   SOUL 4 

DEAR    LITTLE    BABY    FEET 4 

ISLAND    LULLABY 5 

TELL   ME    JUST   ABOUT    GOD 6 

A  child's    GLIMPSE    OF    GOD 7 

Harold's   angel-song 8 

A  child's  fear 8 

OUT   OF  THE  MOUTHS  OF  BABES    ....  9 

LISTEN   IN   YOUR   HEART 10 

BE    WITH    ME 11 

i'd  love  to  go  to  heaven 11 

mother's  problem 12 

DOES    GOD    HEAR? 13 

A    PRAYER 14 

A  child's  prayer 15 

I   can   make   MYSELF 15 

A   child's   PENITENCE 15 

A   child's   WISH 16 

boy's    LAWLESSNESS 16 

LAW   IN    THE   HOME 17 

WEARY 18 

MY  SON  AND  DAUGHTER 19 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

FOR  THE  SAKE  OF  THE  LITTLE  ONE    ...  20 

GOD-VTSION 21 

ROYALTY 21 

PART    II.     A   GLIMPSE    OF   GOD   THROUGH 
YOUTH'S  STRESS  AND  STRAIN 

THE  STORM  RAGES 25 

PRAYER 25 

WHO      WILL     RALLY      'rOUND      THE      SINGLE- 
MINDED    FLAG.f^ 26 

LIGHT 26 

A    CRY 27 

DIRECT    MY    POWER 28 

LOVE   THAT   IS   HUMAN    UNSATISFIES  EVER       .  29 

AFTER    DEATH 30 

SUNRISE 31 

"an  UNWRITTEN  PAGE  FOR  THE  NEW  YEAr"  32 

TRUST 34 

YEARNING 34 

god's  TROOPERS 36 

PURPOSE 36 

work  and  trust 38 

good  advice 39 

in  the  hour  of  need 40 

here's  to  courage  ! 41 

we  follow  thee  ! 42 

ours  to  inspire 42 

WILLING  43 

BEST 44 

LIBERTY  44 

NO    MEAN     THING 46 

AND  ALL  THAT  IS  OUR  LIFE 47 

THE  RICHNESS  OF  LIFE 48 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

WAIT 49 

UVE   THE   IDEAL 50 

PART  III.     A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
NATURE 

NATURE  55 

PLAYGROUND 57 

BLOOD-ROOT  57 

UNIVERSAL    GIVER 58 

THE    SHOWER 59 

THE    WIND 59 

THE    DAISY 60 

THE    ROSE 60 

THE    LILY 61 

THE    SUN-FLOWER  TURNS   TO   THE   SUN      .  .  61 

RED,   WHITE   AND   BLUE 61 

WOODSY 62 

THE    CALL    OF    THE    WOOD-NYMPHS     ...  64 

THE    HEIGHTS 64 

LOVELY    NATURE  65 

THE   SOUL   OF   NATURE 65 

JUNE   NESTS 67 

JOY,  JOY,  joy! 69 

LOVE,   FAITH   AND   JOY 70 

'tis   god! 70 

PART  IV.     A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
LOVE  AND  MARRIAGE 

RESERVE 75 

PREPARATION 75 

JUSTICE  75 

HOPE 76 

LONGING 76 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

TRUST 77 

WHAT   WAS  IT? 77 

BROKEN     HEARTS            78 

ALWAYS    IN    LOVE 79 

TRUE    LOVE 79 

THE   MEANING   OF   LOVE 80 

THROUGH  LOVE  TO  DUTY,  THROUGH  DUTY  TO 

LOVE 81 

YOUNG    LOVE 82 

PRAYER 82 

god's   MYSTERY 83 

DESTINY              85 

IN    MY    HEART 85 

FAREWELL 87 

THEN    TRY    ME,    LORD  ! 88 

DULL    HEARTS 89 

SPRING 89 

MATE 90 

TO   MY   LOVE 91 

TRUST 92 

IMMORTALITY 92 

TO    HUSBANDS   AND   WIVES 94 

LOVE 96 

DEAR  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES 96 

I    LOVE    YOU 99 

MARRIAGE 99 

HOW    CAN    I    KEEP    YOUR    LOVE?       HOW    CAN 

YOU    KEEP   MINE? 100 

BE    RESPONSIBLE,    OH    MAN  ! 101 

PART  V.     A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
LOVE  AND  FRIENDSHIP 

here's  to  our  friends 105 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE    SYMPHONY 106 

DEEP   CALLETH    UNTO   DEEP 106 

SPIRITUAL  LOVE  IN  FRIENDSHIP    .         .         .         .107 

SOULS 107 

SPIRIT    HELD    IN    PHYSICAL    LEASH        .  .  .     107 

god's   cloud  of  WITNESSES 108 

THE    SWEET    STORY 109 

THE    SON    TO    HIS    GOD 110 

GOD   TO   HIS   SON Ill 

GOD     NEAR 112 

ACTION 112 

EACH   IN    HIS   PLACE 112 

IRRESISTIBLE 113 

TO    MARY    K 114 

ETERNAL    LOVE    IN    FRIENDSHIP     .  .  .  .114 

FRIENDSHIP 115 

souls'     MATES.? 115 

MARRIAGE    MATES 116 

FRIENDSHIP     MATES 116 

PERFECT     UNIONS 117 

ONLY  SPIRITUAL  FRUITAGE  IN  LOFTY  FRIEND- 
SHIP         117 

THE    DIVINITY    OF    MAN 118 

THE    soul's    search 119 

LOVE  AND   THE  MANDATES   OF   SOUL    .  .  .120 

PART  VI.     A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
RELIGIOX,  OR  PHILOSOPHY  OF  RELIGIOX 

JOY    FOUND    IN    RELIGION 125 

THE    VOICE   WITHIN 126 

THE    SOUL-LIFE   IN    A   PERSONAL   GOD  .  .126 

SONG ON    TO    GOD 130 

"what    do    I   KNOW.?" 131 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

IN  HOW  MANY  WAYS  DO  I  KNOW  THE  DIVINE?    132 

I  KNOW  i'm  immortal 134 

UNSELFISHNESS 136 

EVIL   AND    FREE-WILL 136 

THE    LOGIC    OF    INFERENCE 139 

WHOLESOME    MENTAL   FOOD 140 

WHAT    DO   MEN   LIVE   FOR? 140 

TWO    GOOD    MEN 141 

MORE   LIGHT,   MORE  LOVE 142 

0  WHERE? 142 

god's  way 143 

DUTY    AND  LOVING  SERVICE 144 

DUTY    MADE    LOVING   SERVICE         .         .         .         .144 
DUTY    MADE    EASILY    LOVING    SERVICE        .         .145 

MAN  IS  DIVINE 146 

god's  benignity 147 

GODLIKE 148 

COME  UP  TO  THE  HILLS  OF  VISION       .         .         .  149 

VISION 150 

VISION-JOY 150 

GOD   IS   JOY 151 

OH,  LET  THE  GOD  WITHIN  UNFOLD  !    .         .         .  151 

1  don't  think  i've  told  you     ....    152 

JOY  WITH  GOD 153 

HEAVEN      154 

TO  MAMMA 155 

OUR  PIONEER 156 

TO  PAPA  IN  HEAVEN 157 

TO  REV.  ROBERT  COLLYER 158 

TO  REV.  ROBERT  COLLYER,  D.  D.     ...  159 

A  PRESENCE 160 

DEATH 160 

GLORY  OF  DEATH  ! 161 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH 
CHILD-LIFE 


THE  PARENTS'  PETITION 

Lo,  Dear  Father,  we  parents  are  kneeling, 
And  our  arms  are  stretched  toward  Thee  above, 
May  we  help  on  Thy  race  in  our  children, 
May  we  bear  Thee  messiahs  of  love! 

There  has  dropped  in  our  hearts  the  far  vision. 
And  our  all  we  urge  pure  from  alloy. 
Oh,  dear  Father,  we're  yearning  to  serve  Thee ; 
May  we  bear  Thee  messiahs  of  Joy! 


ANGEL-CHILDREN 

There  came  by  night  encircling  elfins, 
With  soothings,  lovings,  pityings,  helpings. 
Little  filmy  angels  gave  me  angel-touches, 
Little  floating  spirits  gave  me  dainty  brushes, 
Soft  sbimm'ring  lights  of  varying  color. 
And  some  were  lustrous,  others  duller. 
Wee  angels  longing  for  our  earth ! 
Rapt  eager  visions  waiting  birth! 


2       a  CfiillD'g  aiimpge  of  (goD 

LITTLE  WHO? 

My  puff-ball  sweet 

With  curled  up  feet, 
Oh  whisper,  ere  thy  toes  uncurl, 
Art  Grandpa's  boy?     Or  Papa's  girl? 

Thou  mystery! 

Love's  history ! 
Thine   eyes   are   sloes   and   soft   and   shy? 
Or  blue  and  starry,  like  the  sky? 

Thou  lovely  care, 

Thou  mother's  prayer! 
Hast  smile  to  snare  in  love's  own  net 
With  curls  of  sunshine?  or  of  jet? 

My  treasure  hid, 

My  Captain  Kidd, 
Thy  heart  and  brain  and  soul  are  gold, 
Thy  fore-bears  know:  the  birdies  told. 

Thou  longed-for  dear. 

Thy  work  is  here. 
To  draw  all  hearts,  my  noble  girlie   (noble 

boy). 
To  God,  and  to  his  radiant  joy! 


3  €{)ilD'0  (5Iimp0e  of  (Sou       3 

THE  CALL  OF  THE  UNBORN 

Oh,  smile  up  your  heart  for  me,  mother, 

Be  happy,  be  buoyant,  be  mild ; 

Oh,  smile  up  your  heart  for  I'm  coming. 

You'll  make  me   a  lovelier  child. 

I'll  bud  as  a  gay  little  lassie. 

Or  bloom  as  a  cheery  young  lad. 

So     smile     up     your    heart,     mother    darling, 

You'll  always  be  grateful  and  glad. 

I  come  on  our  God's  loving  business, — 

Then  sing  it  again  and  again — 

I'm  coming  to  show  you  God  loves  you ; 

He  loves  you,  He  loves  you,  oh  men ! 


NOT  MINE  BUT  GOD'S 

Lovely,  helpless  little  baby,  are  you  mine.'' 

No,  your  soul  is  only  lent  us,  is  divine ! 

Yet  our  parenthood  is  part   of  God's  design! 

We  have  drawn  you  to  us,  special  little  one, 
In  our  keeping  are  you,  wondrous  budding  son, 
GOD  will  claim  you,  when  the  sands  of  life  are 
run ! 


4       a  CftilD'g  (Slimpge  of  (goD 

BEAUTIFUL  BABY  SOUL 

Beautiful  Baby   Soul! 

Whence  thy  source? 
Where  thy  goal? 
"God,"  he  saith! 
"Heav'n,"  he  saith! 
Radiant,   smiling   faith! 
Are  you  come  just  fresh  from  God? 
Ah  then,  show  me  what  to  be! 
I  may  warn  by  what  I  am, 

But  'tis  you  who'll  most  teach  me, 
Beautiful  Baby  Soul! 


DEAR  LITTLE  BABY  FEET 

Dear  little  baby  feet, 

Dimpled  and  chubby  toes, 

Pinking,  pearling. 

Then  uncurling. 

Ferns  my   spring-time  knows. 

Dear  little  baby-feet. 
Such  a  long  way  to  go, 
Stumbling,   creeping. 
Ever  seeking. 
Rainbows  o'er  the  snow. 


a  Ct)iID'0  (glimpge  of  (SoD 

ISLAND  LULLABY 

Tasseled  pussy-willows  swinging, 
Balmy  breezes  softly  singing 

O'er  the  pond, 

Bye-low-bye ! 

Rolling  ocean  soothing,  booming. 
Darkness  o'er  the  twilight  looming, 

Waves  its  wand. 

Bye-low-bye ! 

Distant  light-house  glinting,  blinking. 
Darling  mother  crooning,  thinking, 

Oh  so  fond! 

Bye-low-bye ! 

Little  blue-eyes  drooping,  dropping 
Little  voices  drowsy  stopping. 

Then  a  sigh ! 

Bye-low-bye ! 

Little  babekins  growing  heavy. 
With  a  flitting  fairy  bevy 

Circling  nigh. 

Bye-low-bye ! 

Heav'nly  Father,  guide  their  dreaming. 
In  their  hearts  Thy  light  be  streaming 

Pure  and  high ! 

Thou  art  nigh ! 


6       a  CftilD'g  (Slimpge  of  <goD 

Heavenly  Father,  guard  their  waking, 
Noble  thoughts  their  lives  be  making 

True  and  high! 

Be  Thou  nigh ! 
Bye-low,  darlings,  bye-low, 

Bye-low-bye ! 


TELL  ME  JUST  ABOUT  GOD 

"I  WISH  that  His  hands  had  been  placed  on  my 

head, 
I  love  that,  O  mother !"  my  little  one  said, 
At  four  years,  such  wisdom  looked  out  of  his 

eyes 
I  marvelled,  my  soul  was  all  filled  with  surprise. 
"Such  a  beautiful  story  of  Jesus  is  this !" 
He   reached   out   his    arms    for   his   last   good- 
night's  kiss. 
"It  makes  him  seem  lovelier  even  than  God ! 
Now  tell  me  a  story  that's  just  about  God: 
I  know  that  God  really  is  lovelier  still !" 
How  could  I,  this  perfect  ideal  fulfill? 
Give  but  a  suggestion,  a  child  will  soon  see ; 
A  child  can  create  more  directly  than  we. 


a  CfeilD'g  aiimpge  of  <goD       7 

A  CHILD'S  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD 

God  wished  to  give  light  to  His  children, 
So  made  them  the  beautiful  sun, 
And  He  made  them  the  moon  for  the  night-time, 
And  large  brilliant  stars,  one  by  one. 

And  God  gave  His  children  the  sunsets, — 
See  light  on  the  hills  over  there ! 
And  He  always  is  thinking  about  you: 
Calls  children  His  very  first  care. 

God  wished  to  give  love  to  His  children, 
He  wished  them  to  love  Him  well,  too. 
So  He  gave  you  the  Fathers  and  Mothers, 
The  Fathers  and  Mothers  have  you. 

So  if  you  love  Father  and  Mother, 

In  time  you'll  love  God  even  more. 

The  dear  God  will  hold  you  to  His  heart  then, 

As  Father  and  Mother  before. 

So  thank  the  dear  Heav'nly  Father, — 

And  tell  Him  you  really  love  Him. 

Then  you'll  feel  you're  so  happy  at  prayer-time 

Your  sleep  will  be  sweet  as  a  hymn. 

As  on  wings  o'er  dream-rainbows  you  skim! 


8       a  C&ilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goD 

HAROLD'S  ANGEL-SONG 

Hark,  what  do  we  hear  our  little  one  saying, 

Awake  with  the  birds  in  the  morn? 

"Oh,  I  want  to  tell  you  the  loveliest  story. 

It's  such  a  sweet  angel-song! 

God  tells  me  it,  all  alone  in  the  night, 

And  oh !     He  gives  me  the  heautifulest  sight ! 

The  angels  just  float  around 

Shining  and  happy, 

Some  pink  and  some  white, 

And  all  goldy-dust  light. 

And  they  sail  about. 

Float  about, 

Happy,  so  happy 

All  night ! 

And  the  loveliest  times  they  all  of  them  have! 

And  oh,  the  kindliest  things  they  do! 

(God  tells  me  the  story  to  make  me  good), 

How  can  I  tell  it  to  Father  and  you? 

My  beautiful  Angel-SongT 


A  CHILD'S  FEAR 

"Mamma  please  come,  I'm  so  afraid !" 
The  sleepy  eyes  descried  me, 

"It  is  so  dark!     I'm  lonely  here! 

Please  stay,  and  sit  beside  me?" 


3  CftilD'g  @Iimp0c  of  ®oti 

My  girlie,  see,  dear  God  is  here, 

And  He  will  guard  you  safe,  dear; 

He  sends  His  angels  all  around 
Each  timid  little  waif,  dear. 

And  when  you're  very  tired,  sweet, 
But  still  awake  you  keep,  dear. 

Ask  God  to  take  you  in  His  arms. 
And  then  you'll  fall  asleep,  dear. 


OUT  OF  THE  MOUTHS  OF  BABES 

"The  first  day  you  come  down  from  Heaven, 

O  Mother, 
Is  a  wonderful,  wonderful  day !" 
My  little  one's  voice  rings  a  message  so  clear. 
Such  marvels  can  five-years-old  say ! 

Does  he  hear  it  from  others?  absorb  from  some 

mind  ? 
Or  get  it  direct  from  his  God? 
What    does    his    soul    know    before    it    gives 

utt'rance  ? 
A  baby  may  hold  us  all  awed! 


10     a  Ci)UD'0  (glimpge  of  aoD 

The  first  day  we  go  up  to  heaven,  O  Father, 

Is  more  wonderful,  wonderful  still! 

Lest  the   change  be  too   great,  may  we  make 

heaven  here, 
Till  all  souls  here  with  heaven-love  thrill. 


LISTEN  IN  YOUR  HEART 

Dear  Father,  we  are  little  children, 

And  we  are  not  very  wise ; 
We  want  to  be,  oh  Heav'nly  Father, 

Brother  can  be,  if  he  tries. 
And  sister  is  so  kind  and  helpful, 

Mother  is  fond,  sweet  and  good, 
And  Father  is  big,  brave  and  loving, — 

I,  too,  would  be  if  I  could ! 

Please    help    me    make    myself    so    thoughtful, 

Make  my  mind  say,  "hark,  obey!" 
And  make  it  say,  "now  don't  be  selfish" ; 

Grown-ups  tell  us  that's  the  way. 
And  I'll  try  to  be  so  noble. 

For  I  want  to  do  my  part. 
Oh,  Heav'nly  Father,  whisper  to  me, 

I  will  listen  in  my  heart ! 


3  Ct)ilD'g  01imp0e  of  aoD     ii 

BE  WITH  ME 

Now  when  I  hear  someone  is  noble, 
Then  surely  God  showed  him  the  way ! 

Dear  God,  You  were  there ! 
When  someone  was  mean,  I  know  now 
That    he    would    not   let    God   show    him    how ! 

Dear  God,  do  You  care? 

And  when  all  the  boys  are  just  horrid 
And  do  and  say  things  that  are  wrong. 

Dear  God,  are  You  sad? 
And  if  I  stand  up,  like  a  man. 
And  I  say,  "None  of  that  boys !"  I  can ! 

Dear  God,  are  You  glad? 
My  Heavenly  Father,  love  me  as  Thy  son. 
Be  with  me,  and  help  me,  and  I'll  do  no  wrong! 


I'D  LOVE  TO  GO  TO  HEAVEN 

I'd    love    to    go   to    Heaven,    mother, 
And  with  sweet  angels  pla,y. 
Our  toys  would  all  be  lovelier. 
And  God  would  nearer  stay. 


12     a  CftilD'g  aiimpge  of  <gon 

But  then  I  can't  come  back  to  you, 
And  have  you  all  down  here, — 
You  would  not  know  me  if  I  did, — 
So  ril  stay  with  you,  dear. 


MOTHER'S  PROBLEM 

I 

We  saw  it  mixed  with  sadness. 
And  yet  a  thrill  of  joy. 
No  more  our  bonny  baby. 
But  a  bouncing  boist'rous  boy ! 

II 

And  now  there  comes   a  time 

Investigation's   rife, 

And  natural  powers  attract. 

Beware  of  fires ! 

Take   care   of   floods ! 

Gas,  medicines  or  swords ! 

He's  as  nonchalant  in  using  these 

As  he  is  in  using  words ! 

Now  it  is  wise  to  be  safe, 

This  is  a  law  let  us  keep. 

Never  to  leave  him  alone, 

Till  he  is  surely  asleep. 


a  CftilD'g  aiimpge  of  <goD     13 
III 

With   other   boys   he  needs   must  be, 

But  runs  in  any  lines, 

Be  sure  you  head  this  period. 

And  show  the  nobler  kinds. 

Now   give   the  lad  direction  clear, 

And   you'll   be   always   glad. 

He's  got  such  splendid  stuff  in  him. 

If  then  it's  spoilt,  'tis  sad! 

IV 

Look !  for  the  vision  is  near ! 

Near  to  his  budding  soul! 

Crimson,  golden. 

Youthful,  olden. 

See  the  mystic  bowl! 

Hark  to   the   Heavenly   strains ! 

Guidance  for  him,  for  all. 

Rousing!  clinging! 

Ever  singing! — 

Do  you  hear  God's  call? 


DOES  GOD  HEAR? 

"If  I  shout  loud. 
Does  God  hear? 
If  I  whisper, 


14     a  CftflD'g  (glimpge  of  (goO 

Is  He  near?" 
Oh  yes,  dear, 
Just  the  same 
Whether    you    shout 
For  joy  !  or  shame ! 
Or  think  softly, 
In  your  mind, — 
Something  selfish, 
Something  kind. 
God's  ever  near! 
He  will  hear! 


A  PRAYER 

Dear    Heavenly    Father,    take    my    hand, 
And  help  me  to  make  myself 
strong 
and  straight 
and  upright 
and  noble 
and  filled  with  God-consciousness ! 


3  CftilD'g  ®Itmpge  of  (SoO     15 

A  CHILD'S  PRAYER 

Dear  Heavenly  Father  I  long 
Ever  tightly  to  cling  to  Thy  hand. 
To  others  I'll  always  be  kind ! 
As  Thy  brave  little  soldier  I'll  stand. 

I'm  only  an  ignorant  boy, 

Yet  I  know  Thou  wilt  ever  love  me. 

Thy    love    makes    my    heart    beat    with    Joy ! 

I  so  want  great  and  God-like  to  be! 


I  CAN  MAKE  MYSELF 

I  CAN  make  myself  a  good  man! 
Or  else   a   selfish,  sad   one ! 
By  showing  I'm  a  good  boy! 
And  not  a  horrid  bad  one! 


A  CHILD^S  PENITENCE 

Dear  mother,  I  want  to  be  good. 
But  somehow  I  seem  to  do  wrong. 
I  don't  know  what  makes  me  so  rough, 
I  try  to  think  first,  right  along. 


16     a  Ct)iID'0  (glimpge  of  (goD 

Does  God  know,  and  see,  every  time? 
And  what  does   He  do,  when  He  sees? 
He  makes  me  so  sorry,  you  say! 
My  heart  cries ;  I  never  will  tease ! 


A  CHILD'S  WISH 

Dear  God,   I  know  that  when   I'm   good 
It's  the  spark  of  Thy  soul  lighting  mine. 

I  know  as  surely,  when  I'm  bad, 
It's  because  I  will  not  see  the  shine. 

The  spark  in  me,  the  spark  in  each, 
Is  the  light  that  tells  me  of  Thy  love. 

Oh  make  Thy  children  hear  below 
Just  as  pure  as  Thy  angels  above. 


BOY'S  LAWLESSNESS 

When  I'm  a  man 

I'll  tear  up  papers  just  a  mass! 

I'll  smash  the  parlor  looking-glass 

And  see  what  is  behind. 

I'll  rip  the  books  in  two ; 

I'll  climb  up  to  the  clock  and  find 

What  makes  the  cuckoo  coo ! 


3  C()tlD'0  (glimp0e  of  <SoD     17 

I'll  yank  the  table-cloths  all  off, 

And  smash  the  flower-pots, 

And    mark    and    paint    the    things    with    spots 

And  peel  the  paper  off  the  walls, 

And  stuff  bananas,  lots  ; 

And  throw  the  kettles  'round  the  floor 

To  tease  the  cook; 

And  just  go  splashing  through  the  brook. 

And  shout  and  roar ! 

"Hush,  hush !  no,  no !"  I'll  never  say 

At  every  noise. 

No  matter  if  I've  fifty  boys. 

No  matter  what  they  do, 

They'll  have  just  all  the  fun  they  can. 

When  I'm  a  man ! 


LAW  IN  THE  HOME 

Dr.    U.    S.    Pierce   says,   "The   child   should    recognise 
law !" 

The  law  in  the  home  is  to  love  and  obey ! 
'Tis  safer  for  children,  if  taught  in  this  way. 
Each   is    one   among  many ;   w^e're    sowing   the 

seeds 
That  will  bring  in  a  harvest,  to   meet   future 
needs. 


18     a  Ct)ilti'0  (glimpge  of  ®oD 

T'were  better   for  manhood,  if  parents   but 

saw 
'Tis  safer  for  children  to  recognize  law. 
This  thought  clearly  defined,  they  will  under- 
stand then 
Civil  law  in  the  world,  moral  law  among  men. 


WEARY 

Will  you  sing  me  to  sleep.  Papa,  darling? 
Please  cuddle  your  own  little  one ; — 
I'm  tired  of  being  your  big  boy, 
I'm  only  your  small  baby  son. 

I'm  Papa's  weary  baby, 

Wee  baby, 

Own  baby, 
I'm  Papa's  little  wee  baby  son. 

Will  You  soothe  me  to  rest,  Heav'nly  Father, 
Soon  take  home  Your  own  weary  one? 
I'm  tired  of  being  Your  big  man, 
I'm  only  Your  struggling  young  son. 

Loving  Father's  weak  soldier. 

Sad  soldier, 

Old  soldier. 
Loving  Father's   sad  worn  soldier  son. 


a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  aoD     19 

MY  SON  AND  DAUGHTER 

I  WANT  to  speak  to  every  child 
Whether  young  or  older  grown, 
I  want  to  tell  you  that  your  body 
Planned  by  God,  is  not  your  own. 

God  would  have  you  lovely,  perfect. 
You  must  keep  yourself  clean,  pure, 
Guard  the  temple  as  God  made  you! 
God  needs  you,  you  may  be  sure. 

God  tells  you  and  me  and  each. 
Lift  the  race  to  sacred  height, — 
Body  healthy,  mind  sane  poised. 
And  a  soul  of  joyous  light! 

Be  a  soul  of  joyous  light! 
Grow  a  body  sacred,  pure! 
Grow  a  mind  serene,  unselfish! 
Thoughts  are  seeds,  the  harvest  sure ! 

Hold  but  kind  and  noble  thoughts ! 
Have  a  purpose  true  and  good! 
You  will  blossom  to  such   fruitage 
As  but  holy  God-souls   could! 


20     SI  C&ilD'0  (glimpge  of  (goO 

For  we  grow  like  what  we  feed  on! 
See  that  souls  are  all  well-fed ! 
Striving,  helping,  choose  the  noble ! 
Be  a  leader  God  hath  led! 


FOR  THE   SAKE  OF  THE  LITTLE  ONE 

For  the  sake  of  the  little  one  holding  my  hand, 

Oh !  How  much  I  can  do  and  can  dare ! 

And  what  loads  I   can   carry,  what   treasures 

resign. 
In  Thy  Fatherhood,  God,  I  can  share! 
And  perhaps  if  my  life  grasps  for  wisdom  and 

strength. 
And  I  hold  to  the  large  and  divine, 
Little  feet  coming  after  more  firmly  may  tread, 
From  the  fact  that  the  vict'ry  was  mine. 
So-called    trials,    temptations,    privations,    are 

blest. 
Teaching  body,  mind,  heart,  to  be  Thine; 
Omnipotent  Father,  adored,  see  our  best. 
Deem  us  worthy  of  progress  divine ! 


3  C&iID'0  (glimpge  of  (5oD     21 

GOD-VISION 

Up,  look  up,  thou  royal  son, 
Far,  see  far,  where  visions  are ! 
Clear   and   pure   and   streaming  far, 
Draw   thee   toward  thy  guiding-star. 
]\Iists  and  glooms  flee  from  thy  way. 
Stars  thy  night,  and  suns  thy  day. 
Fraught  with  might  is  thought  of  soul, 
Wings  of  thought  make  God  thy  goal ! 


ROYALTY 

Were  I  a  child  of  royal  blood, 

I'd  live  as  every  noble  should ! 

How    true,    how   pure,   how   great,   how    good, 

On  finding  I'm  a  child  of  God ! 


II 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  TPIROUGH  YOUTH'S 
STRESS  AND  STRAIN 


THE  STORM  RAGES  * 

The  storm  rages 
The  ships  at  sea 

Are  quiv'ring  in  the  blast! 
Oh,  Lord  of  ages, 
Thanks  to  Thee 

So  few  are  wrecked  at  last ! 


PRAYER 

Oh  Father,  give  him  strength. 
And  guide  him  unto  Thee ; 

No  hand  is  at  the  helm 

He's  tossing  on  life's  sea. 

The  waters  seethe  and  dash, 
The    fearful   thunders    roll. 

The  shallows  lure  and  laugh ! 

Dear  Father,  guard  his  soul. 

I  pray  thus,  yet  I  know, 
With  benediction  mild. 

Thou  boldest  in  Thy  heart. 

Thy  wand'ring,  lonely  child. 

*  Written  when   8  years  old ;   at  midnight. 
25 


26     a  CftilD'g  (gtimpge  of  (Son 

WHO      WILL      RALLY      'ROUND      THE 
SINGLE-MINDED  FLAG? 

The  evil  double-motive,  how  it  damns ! 

Like    gnawing   wolves   that   feed   on  blameless 

lambs ! 
We  grow  deceitful  actors  in  our  parts, 
Are  martyrs  posed,  tho'  tyrants  in  our  hearts, 
We're  weak,  and  we  are  politic,  for  shame ! 
We  stamp  out  others  in  our  selfish  aim; 
We  give  one-sided-reasons  as  the  whole. 
We  blunt  the  clear  directness  of  our  soul! 
Our  double-motives,  subtle  little  elves. 
While  undermining  truth,  deceive  ourselves. 
We  justify  our  stand,  but  have  a  care ! 
We're  sensitive,  just  probe  us  anywhere. 
Oh  the  horrible  things  that  we  all  of  us  do ! 
Just  because  of  our  two-motived,  mean  point- 

of-view ! 
Who  will  rally  'round  the  single-minded  flag? 


LIGHT 

What  is  "duty"? 
Where  is  right? 
Guide  me  ere  I 
Fall  by  night ! 


a  CftilD'g  (Slfmpge  of  (goD     27 

Help  Thy  little 
Frightened  child; 
Hear  me,  save  me 
Father  mild ! 

Light,  light,  oh  to  see! 

Light,  light,  pour  it  free! 
Light ! 

A  CRY 

Life's  a  living,  loving  turmoil. 
And  Thy  little  child  is  weak, — 
Soothe  him,  calm  his  restless  yearnings. 
Show  him  what  is  best  to  seek. 

Take   him    to    Thy    gentle   breast.   Lord, 
Still  his   anxious   beating  heart ; 
He  must  rest,  oh,  he  must  rest.  Lord, 
E'er  he  does  his  little  part. 

Father,  show  to  him  Thy  meaning, 

Oh,  why  can  he  never  rest? 

Help    him,    hold    him,    guide    him,    save    him. 

He  is  falt'ring  in  his  quest. 

Give  to  him  the  wider  vision 
Light  to  see  that  Thou  art  near. 
He  is  in  Thy  Heavenly  kingdom. 
Thou  art  near ;  oh,  Thou  art  near ! 


28     a  Ci)ilO'$  (glimpge  of  <goD 

DIRECT  MY  POWER 

Oh,  God,  I'm  just  an  infant  still — 

I'm  timid-wond'ring  so ; 
Pray  let  me  not  obstruct  Thy  will, 

But  deep  devotion  show. 

Yet  why  it  is,  Thou  Father  wise, 
That  times  are,  when  I  flash 

In  scorn,  in  rage,  in  sudden  pow'r, 
And  burst  out  wild  and  rash! 

Then  fear  myself !  and  tremble  most 
For  others  near  me  bound; 

Possessed  by  demon,  spirit,  ghost, — 
Some  awful  pow'r  I've  found ! 

I  know  not,  be  it  bad  or  good. 
Or  great  or  small  of  worth; 

But  yet  I  know  I'm  in  a  grasp 
Beyond  control  of  earth ! 

To  weigh  this  pow'r,  to  hold  this  force — 
Thy  slow  sure  laws  to  see — 

To  guide  this  life,  free  from  remorse — 
Thy  child  beseeches  Thee ! 


3  C{)tID'0  (SHmpge  of  <5oti     29 

But  well  I  know  a  pow'r  that's  strong, 

Directed  from  abuse, 
May  with  Thy  help  a  lever  prove 

Of  might,  when  put  to  use. 

As  life  goes  on,  our  pow'r  grows  great. 
For  good  or  ill,  we're  strong! 

This  energy  from  God  has  come, — 
These  loans   to  Him  belong. 


LOVE   THAT  IS   HUMAN  UNSATISFIES 
EVER 

Saddened  and  broken, 

In  awe  I  surrender ; 
Just  Smiter,  Defender, 

My  Hope  is  in  Thee. 

Love  that  is  human 

Unsatisfies  ever. 
Then  compromise  never — 

Put  Faith  but  in  God. 

God,  be   my  life-cry ! 

In  work,  compensation. 
In  spirit,  salvation, 

My  Heart  be  with  God. 


30     a  CftilD'g  ®Iimp0e  of  (goO 

AFTER  DEATH 

With  sense  of  ease  and  buoyancy  I  'rose  and 

looked  about; 
So  active,  happy,  light  of  heart,  immersed  in 

hope,  I  seemed; 
The  earth-friends  were  about  me,  and  I  spoke: 

— they  knew  me  not; — 
But  some  dear  kindred  ones  there  were,  whose 

royal  welcome  gleamed! 

And  one  there  was,  a  presence  strong,  I  bowed 

before  his   glow, 
"The   time   has   come,"   I    felt  him   say.     "All 

meanings,  you  shall  see!" 
I  followed  soft  the  realms  throughout, — earth's 

children  to  behold — 
I  felt  their  innermost  beliefs,  their  lives  were 

plain  to  me. 

"Now    all    the   good    that   you   have   wrought, 

through  all  your  life  inspired. 
Is  spread  before  your  consciousness !"  he  spoke, 

and  left  me  dazed. 
My  being  thrilled,  illumined,  soared,  as  step  by 

step,  I  traced 
Great  lives  where  stimulus  was  mine!  my  soul 

with  wild  joy  blazed! 


a  Ct)iID'0  (glimpge  of  ®ot»     31 

Too  great  this  realization  swept, 
I  bowed  my  spirit,  prayed  and  wept. 

Then  suddenly  the  scene  was  gone, — and  pierc- 
ing to   the  soul. 

Before  my  quiv'ring  being,  all  the  stunted  lives 
lay  bare. 

Where  blight,  or  hurt,  or  evil  of  my  own,  had 
poisoned  deep. 

And  left  a  trail  of  sin,  and  desolation,  and  de- 
spair ! 

No  sob,  nor  sigh,  nor  sickening  moan, 
The  horror,  chilled  my  heart  to  stone,. 


Oh  God,  Thou  hold'st  the  scales ! 


SUNRISE 


A  MUFFLED  stillness,  power  asleep. 
And  hills  of  inky  black ! 

A  soft  faint  flush! 

A  burst  of  gold! 
The  sun  sweeps  down  his  track ! 


32     g  aLbiW^  (glimpge  of  (Son 
II 

A  heavy  weight  of  dull  despair ! 
Then  in,  kind  sorrow  stole ! 

We  long  to   serve ! 

A  dart  of  joy! 
Breaks  sunlight  through  the  soul ! 


"AN  UNWRITTEN  PAGE  FOR  THE  NEW 
YEAR" 

The  sifting  snow  comes  swirling  low, 
All  grime  and  filth  is  whitened, 
Now  weeping,  melting  waters  flow. 
Earth's  beauty's  cleansed  and  heightened. 
The  sun  bursts  forth  and  warms  the  north, 
And  sets  all  life  to  living. 
A  power  is  freed.     Here's  sap  and  seed; 
Earth's   bounty  flows ;  God's   giving. 

Sage  Time,  the  snow  which  covers  woe, 

And  healeth  all  that's  tragic. 

Kind  Grief, — it's   gift  a  human  soul! 

Deep  Life, — it's  meaning  magic ! 

These  purify,  and  Spirit  dawns, 

God's  Spirit  wide  reflecting. 

His  birth  in  you,  now  proves  you  true. 

With  Him,  His  world  protecting. 


a  Cfttld'g  (glimpge  of  (goO     33 

"Great   peace   have    they   which    love    THY   law:   and 
nothing  shall  offend  them." — Psalms  cxix,  165. 

Oh  give  me  calm ! 
Within   this   rushing,  hasting   world. 
Upon   its   struggling  bosom   whirled, 

Calm  hold  my  soul — 
Thy  calm  sweep  in. 

Oh  give  me  peace ! 
And  when  the  half-taught,  fight  and  strive, 
And  kill  the  life  that's  most  alive, 

Peace,  quiet  heart — 
Thy  peace  sink  deep. 

Oh  give  me  rest ! 
When  all  the  body  groans  in  pain. 
Or  when  the  spirit's  tense  with  strain. 

Sweet  rest,  come  soothe, — 
Thou  gentle  balm ! 

Come    peace,    calm,    rest ! 
With  faith  to  trust  Thy  wa^^s  are  best, 
And  lift  me  on !     Rest  in  Thy  law — 

Thus  comfort  draw — 
For  trust  is  rest. 

Through  all  my  life 
I  feel  Thy  law;  and  always  know, 
With  wond'ring  awe,  that  can  but  grow, 

That  Thou  foresaw ! 
My  Father  saw! 


34     a  Cf)ilD'0  (5limp0e  of  ©oD 


TRUST 

Why  is  all  this? 

What  is  the  end? 
God  is  now  planning  my  life. 

He  understands, 

I  only  trust, 
Loving  Him  fully,  I  patiently  trust; 

Sweetest  of  love  is  in  trust. 

God  never  fails — 

Meanings  now  hid 
Time  will  but  help  us  to  find: 

Grateful  that  smoothed 

Blunders  may  be, 
Follow  I  joyfully  where  I  can  see. 

Lovingly  cling  where  I'm  blind. 

All  for  the  love  of  my  God! 
All  for  the  love  He  bears  me! 


YEARNING 

God's  heart-strings  draw  our  hearts ; 
In  some  mysterious  way 
He  binds  us  to  Himself. 
We,  careless,  foolish,  drift. 
Then  comes  a  gentle  strain, 


a  CfjilD'g  0iimp0e  of  (Son     8. 

Some  power  has  drawn  the  strings. 
We  feel,  and  longings  come, 
We  yearn,  but  vaguely  yearn. 
We  know  not  what  we  need. 
We  crave  now  this,  now  that. 
Ah,  this  will  satisfy ! 

But  no,  a  stronger  pull 
Upon  the  slender  cords 
Brings  pain  exquisite  forth. 
That  pain  is  ours  and  His, 
And  marks  a  soul  in  birth. 
And  deeper,  deeper  still 
That  wondrous  yearning  glows ; 
"Ah  God,  what  is't  we  need? 
What  would  you  that  we  sought? 
We  render  all  to  Thee." 

Yet  tenser  still  the  strings 
Are  stretched,  until  we  weep. 
"Then  prove  with  will  and  deeds 
Professions   made,   my   childT' 
We  turn  and  work,  and  help. 
And    others    soothe ;    and    work, 
And  ever  as  we  strive 
We're  drawn  unto  Himself. 
Ah!  now  the  strings  are  loosed, 
Comes  trust,  and  hope,  and  calm. 
And  love,  and  light,  and  peace. 
Our  God  and  we,   are  One. 


36     a  Ct)iID'0  (glfmpge  of  <gon 

GOD'S  TROOPERS 

Strengthen  my  soul,  Captain  mine ! 
Oh  make  me  strong,  Lord  Divine! 
Keep  me  in  line  that  shall  hold. 
Lead  me  with  purpose  clear,  high. 
Onward  I'll  march  till  I  die. 
One  of  Thy  troopers  enrolled. 
Trials   I  scorn !  All  is  well  1 
Weakness   would  prove   for  me,  hell! 

Upward,  the  roads  reach  the  light. 
Rouse,  oh  still  Spirit,  to  Might! 
Soldiers  of  Right  now  are  we, 
Hot  from  Experience'  scald. 
Noble  ideals  we  see — 
Now  as  God's  troopers  we're  called! 
Falter  not,  doubt  not,  nor  sigh! 
For  the  pure  Truth  live  and  die ! 


PURPOSE 

Little  counts  except  your  purpose, 
Where   are  you   going,   and  what's  your  pur- 
pose? 
Headless,  heedless,  what's  your  purpose? 
Fall  into  line  with  God ! 


a  Cf)iID'0  (Slimp0e  of  ©oD     37 

Oh,  how  wonderful  God's  purpose ! 
Infinite  soul  with  mighty  purpose ! 
It  vibrates  in  the  winged  electrons — 
It  flashes  in  the  forms  of  crystals — 
Purpose! 

It  whistles  in  the  winds  of  winter — 
It  shines  clear  in  the  stars  of  night-time — 
It  whispers  where  the  buds  are  springing — 
It  chants  forth  in  the  thrushes  singing — 
Purpose ! 

It  points  in  baby's  tiny  fingers — 
It  glows  in  mind  of  man  majestic — 
It  fires  the  soul  of  seer  and  prophet — 
Declares  itself  to  zealous  mystic — 
Purpose ! 

All  God's  universe  is  tending  upward, 
Toward  this  mighty,  mighty  purpose. 
Growing  band  with  mighty  purpose! 
Lured  right  onward  through  God-vision, 
Marching  into  perfect  freedom, 
Perfect  goodness,  greatness,  Joy ! 

Fall  into  line  with  God ! 


38     3  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (gofl 

WORK  AND  TRUST 

Work,  work! 

Trust,  trust  1 

To  thy  highest,  be  true ! 

Don't  fret. 

All's  well, 

God  is  mindful  of  you. 
And  whether  we  worry,  or  whether  we  weep, 
Or  whether  we  laugh  and  are  gay. 
The  world  rushes  onward,  the  laws  all  work  out, 
And  God  holds  the  yea  and  the  nay. 

Work,  work ! 

Trust,  trust  I 

To  thy  highest,  be  true ! 

Hope  on, 

Keep  brave, 

God  is  caring  for  you. 
Whatever  we  ought  to  have,  surely  will  stay. 
And  what  we  must  not  have,  will  go. 
And  all  that  we  need  is,  to  steadily  do 
The  wisest,  the  noblest  we  know. 

Work,  work ! 

Trust,  trust  [ 

To  thy  highest,  be  true ! 

Hurt  none ! 

Help  all! 

God  is  working  through  you ! 


a  Cftfrp'g  aiimpge  of  <goD     39 

GOOD  ADVICE 
OR,  THE  GOD  WITHIN 

I  SHOULD  think  it  might  be  better,  little  girl, 
When  you've  done  a  thing  and  know  that  it  is 

wrong. 
Just  to  seek  the  parent  kind,  and  tell  it  all. 
And  then  wash  away  your  tears  in  mother's 

song. 

And  I  dream  it  might  be  helpful,  selfish  youth. 
When  you've  wounded  someone  deeply  and  feel 

dazed, 
Just  to  seek  the  wisest,  noblest  man  you  know, 
Try  to  rise  upon  the  vision  where  he  gazed. 

So  I  fancy  that  it's  wiser,  reckless  man. 
Having   squandered    all    the    substance   within 

range, 
That  you  rally,  halt,  redeem,  make  good  and 

learn ; 
Oh,    what    matter    that    the    worldly    think    it 

strange. 

So  I  gather  that  it's  grander,  child  of  God, 
When  you  feel  your  winged  spirit  clipped  and 

sad. 
That  you  open  wide  the  eyes  that  see  with  God, 
He   the  joyous  nearing  goal  that  makes  you 

glad. 


40     a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  <gon 

God-like  vision,  brooding  over  sons  of  men, 
Teaching,   warning,    guiding,   loving,  lifts   the 

clod, 
You  are  finding  that  you  are  the  sons  of  men, 
But  you're  learning  that  God  made  you  sparks 

of  God! 


IN  THE  HOUR  OF  NEED 

Ev'ry  one's  serene 
When  there's  nothing  wrong. 
When  the  crisis  comes 
Can  you  sing  your  song? 

That's  the  only  test 
Of  your  strength  and  pow'r. 
Time  is  always  now, 
Always,  ev'ry  hour. 

Meet  the  present  need, 
Rest  a  tired  heart — 
Here's  a  heavy  load — 
Do  right  here  your  part. 

Life  is  in  the  now. 
Now  are  crises  run. 
In  the  hour  of  need 
You  can  be  the  one. 


Always  equal  now, 
Equal  to  it  then, 
You  will  be  the  man 
Strong  among  the  men. 


HERE'S  TO  COURAGE! 

Here's  to  the  health  of  the  noble  1 
Here's  to  the  resolute  throng! 

Pointing  the  way  for  the  timid ! 
Urging  the  careless  along ! 

Valiant  and  earnest  and  manly, 

Strengthened  by  God  and  his  saints  ; 

Fearless  of  earth  and  earth's  sorrows ! 
Lifted  and  pure  from  earth's  taints ! 

Clear-eyed,  devoted,  far-seeing! 

With  spirit  that's  drawn  to  the  skies  1 
Unbroken,  undampened  by  trial. 

It  soars  and  it  sings  as  it  flies ! 

Here's  to  the  men  full  of  courage  ! 

Strong  through  all  Life,  Death  or  Birth, 
Bared-heads  are  rising  to  greet  thee — 

God  within  knoweth  thy  worth ! 


42     3  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goO 

WE  FOLLOW  THEE! 

Let  us  live  in  the  "Swami"  ideal; 
Let  us  give  ourselves  like  the  true  Jesus ; 
Let  us  sacrifice  self,  to  be  helpful 
Until  only  what's  kindly  will  please  us. 

Self-control  that  is  perfect  means  freedom; 
And  the  love  that  is  purest  out-pouring, 
Can  redeem  and  lead  all  to  perfection, 
Breathing  comfort  and  mercy  while  soaring. 

Oh,  we  trust  Thee  forever,  our  Father, 
So  we  joy  to  respond  to  THY  calling; 
As  we  thrill  with  delight  under  burdens 
That  no  souls  trusted,  tried,  find  appalling. 

Thou  hast  proved  us,  as  chosen  disciples — 
We  are  burning  to  help  on  all  right-hood; 
We  are  Thine,  and  our  pow'r  is  prodigious, 
See  us  glorified  by  Divine  Knighthood ! 


OURS  TO  INSPIRE 

Brave    sisters,    'tis    ours    to    inspire! 

God  help  us  to  do  it! 
With  earnestness,  trust,  we're  a-fire! 

We  give  ourselves  to  it ! 


a  C{)iID'0  (5Iimp0e  of  (5oti     4a 


Ours  to  inspire ! 
Ours  to  suggest ! 
Hearts  set  on  fire 
In  deeds  expressed 


Seeing  the  good ! 
Righting  the  wrong! 
Guiding  the  weak ! 
Praising  the  strong ! 

Helping  the  shy ! 
Checking  the  bold ! 
Leading  the  young ! 
Cheering  the  old! 


Let  all  friends  say, 
Through   life  we   trod, 
Working  for  men ! 
Working  for  God ! 


WILLING 

Know,  Willing  is  our  greatest  pow'r ! 

From  thought  and  wish  proceeds, 
Assures  the  coming  action  next 

Materialized  in  deeds. 


44     a  CfttlD'g  (glimpge  of  <goD 

Opposing  spirit's  deepest  laws, 

'Tis  harmful  or  'tis  nil. 
All  other  willing's  worse  than  useless, 

Will  to  do  God's  will! 

Then  put  yourself  on  Wisdom's  side, 

Ally  yourself  with  God — 
Your  burst  of  pow'r  can  meet  no  check 

Sweeps  on — a  Victor's  flood! 


BEST 

With  whole-souled,  hearty  frankness. 
Go  into  things  with  zest, 
To  make  the  good,  still  better, 
And  make  the  better,  best ! 


LIBERTY 

Know'st  thou  freedom? 
Art  thou  free? 
Cans't  thou  claim 
Sweet  liberty? 
Ruled  by  monarch. 
Ruled  by  man. 


3  CfttlO'g  ®Iimp0e  of  (Son     45 

Work  can  master, 
Illness  can. 

All  conditions 
State  their  power ; 
Placing  new  weights 
Hour  by  hour. 
Rise  above  them, 
Feel  their  meaning, 
Yet  subdue  them, 
Wisdom  gleaning 
From  the  all-soul, 
From  the  spirit. 
From  the  heights 
The  gods  inhabit. 

Up  above  earth's 
Petty  things 
Is  a  realm  where 
All  find  wings. 
Ev'ry  cloud  and 
Shadow  there 
Must  dissolve 
In  purer  air. 
Gone  are  fetters. 
Worries,  strife. 
Found  is  freedom. 
Found  is  life. 


46     3  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goD 

Leave  thy  brute-hood, 
Drop  the  slave-side, 
Feel  thy  courage ! 
Show  thy  brave  side, 
Leave  the  narrow. 
Grasp  the  broad  side. 
Through  thy  man-hood 
Reach  the  God-side ! 


NO  MEAN  THING 

On  the  river  of  life 

We  intended  to  course 
With   swift  vigorous   strokes 

Between  delta  and  source. 

No  great  aim  was  too  high 
No  large  work  was  too  hard. 

Surely  nothing  could  harm  us, 
And  naught  could  retard. 

In  the  furnace  of  life 

For  pure  gold-ore  we're  smelted; 
In  slag,  left  behind 

Cold  Ambitions  are  melted. 


a  C{)iID'0  (Slimpse  of  (SoD     47 

And  our  only  desire 

Is  that  all  friends  should  sing 
When  the  spirit  has  passed, 

"He  could  do  no  mean  thing." 


AND  ALL  THAT  IS  OUR  LIFE 

A  LARGE  round  of  play  and  a  little  hard  work, 
And    the    soft    admonitions    when    wanting    to 

shirk. 
Then  the  birds  and  the  blossoms,  the  toys  all 

have  charms. 
And    the    falling    asleep    in   the   dear   mother's 

arms. 
And  all  that  is  our  life ! 

A    glamour   of   dreams    thro'    the    day-time   of 

learning, 
Buoyancy  vaster  ideals   discerning. 
A  heart  full  of  hurts,  but  a  head  full  of  love, 
To  seek  and  to  find  the  bewitched  turtle-dove. 
And  all  that  is  our  life ! 


48     a  Cbilti'g  (glimpge  of  (Son 

An  infinite  call,  and  a  finite  response, 

But  rare  gleams  that  commingle  and  bring  the 

response. 
Then  a  summons   from  God,   and  a  rising  to 

meet  it, 
A  valiant  true  fight,  and  a  "well-done"  to  greet 

it. 
And  all  that  is  our  life! 

With  a  mind  sane  and  poised,  and  a  soul  strong 

and  true. 
And  a  sympathy  boundless  for  me  and  for  you ; 
With  the  glorious  vision,  and  God  ever  near, 
Then  the  how  and  the  why  are  so  simple  and 

clear. 
And  all  that  is  our  life ! 


THE  RICHNESS  OF  LIFE 

Luring  mystery  lurks  in  the  soul. 
Ether's  witchery  veiling  a  star ; 
Winged  spirits  from  Heaven  are  hid 
All  about  us  where  ever  we  are. 

There's  the  delicate  maiden-hair  fern 
Drawing  life  through  its  frond  and  its  stem. 
Not  the  stone,  but  the  source  of  the  light 
Gives  the  color  and  flash  to  the  gem. 


a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  ®oD     49 

So  our  life,  the  material  part, 

Is  a  medium  which  we  must  use 

To   express   hidden   worlds,   hidden   realms, 

As  through  God,  and  on  God,  we  still  muse. 


WAIT 

An  angel  whispered  to  my  soul,  "Wait! 

Thou'rt  very  far  this  side  thy  goal !  Wait ! 
As  yet  thy  goal  thou  little  knoweth, 

So  go  thou  only  where  God  sheweth! 
Wait  1" 

Lord,  help  thy  little  child,  unruly. 
Oh  help  us  to  be  patient,  truly, 

To  drop  the  future,  leave  the  past. 

And  live  the  present — that  will  last — Wait ! 

A  patience  learn,  to  solve  each  myst'ry 

By   calmly   scanning  age-long  hist'ry. 

For  what  am  I,  so  weak  and  small? — 
A  single  dot  among  them  all ! 

Yet  e'en  the  story  of  my  own  life 

Has  shown  development  in  each  strife, 

And  well  I  know  myself  to  be 

A  spirit  growing!  bound,  yet  free! 


50     a  Cf)t!D'0  aiimpge  of  aoD 

The  greatest  rest  I  yet  have  found 
Is  seeing  that  I'm  really  bound! 

My  greatest  help  that  yet  shall  be 
In  finding  that  I'm  really  free! 

I'm  free  to  do — but  in  His  way — 

And  mill  can  bring  the  longed-for  goal ; 

Then  all  Eternity  is  mine ! 

And  what  is  dearest  to  my  soul  I 


LIVE  THE  IDEAL! 

How  shall  we  go  through  this  life? 

We'll  live  the  ideal! 
Seeing  it,  helps  not  the  strife, 

Let's  live  the  ideal. 

Acting  high  theories  out 

And  making  them  real. 

Resolute !  let  who  will  scout ! 
We'll  live  the  ideal! 

Two  are  the  pathways  on  earth 

Where  most  we  need  courage — 

Working   and  loving,   from  birth 
Need  courage — God's   courage ! 


a  Cf)ilD'0  (glimp0e  of  <goti     51 

Work  must  be  done  with  no  flaws — 

Embodied  ideal! 
Power  Divine,  hear  our  cause! 

And  stamp  with  thy  seal! 

Then  in  our  loving  we  pray 

Thy  spirit  to  follow: 
These  are  the  things  that  will  stay, 

But  all  else  is  hollow. 

Time  is   eternity's  length, 

We'll  compromise  never ; 
Things  all  unrealized  here 

Have  still  the  forever! 

Helping  each  man  toward  his  God; 
Keeping  in  line  with  true  laws ; 
Strengthening  weakness  with  will ; 
Strong  enough  never  to  pause ; 

On,  with  magnificent  aim ! 

In  helping  what's  fated — ■ 
Helping,  not   forcing,  will  gain 

A  life  consecrated! 

God  we  can  trust  with  our  all. 

Still  seeking  His  leaven; 
What  does  it  mean  in  the  end? 

We  leave  that  to  Heaven. 


Ill 

A  GLIMPSE  OF  GOD  THROUGH  NATURE 


NATURE 

AT    POCANTICO 

A  TRILL,  and  then  a  quaver, 
A  ripple  and  a  song, 

The  mellow  note 

Of  life  afloat. 
On  wing  or  bough,  is  borne. 

The  klop !  klop !  of  the  cuckoo ; 
The  purse-proud  Bob-o-link ; 

The  modest  word 

Of  Phoebe  bird, 
A-tilt  on  fern,  to  drink. 

The  thrush,  a  liquid  treble; 
The  squirrel's  chat,  and  shake. 

His  rattle  spun. 

His   battle  won. 
An  oriole's  awake ! 

And  down  the  solid  hill-side, 
The  troops  of  evergreen. 

Come  stalking  slow 

In  stately  show 

With  grave  substantial  mien. 
55 


56     a  CI)ilD'0  (Slimp0e  of  ©oD 


And   creamy    chestnuts    stand    out 
Like  scouts  upon  the  way ; 

And  here  a  clump 

Of  maples  plump 
Combat  the  sun's  warm  ray. 

A  dainty  white-birch  rivals 
An  elm  in  graceful  pose; 

And    each    fair   tree 

The  eye  can  see 
Its  special  beauty  shows. 
And  all  the  grass  is  dotted, 
With  daisies  gold  or  white; 

And  in  the  niche 

Near  sumach  rich, 
Grow  tiger-lilies  bright. 

And  all  the  bank  is  luscious, 
With  berries  small  and  red, 

A  gentle  breeze 

Just  sways  the  trees 
And  to  me  softly  said — 
"Come  smile,  oh,  gloomy  mortal. 
All  Nature's  hearts  are  light! 

Free  breathing,  we 

Find  liberty. 
And  joyous  trust,  and  right!" 


a  CftilD'0  (Slimpge  of  <goD     57 

PLAYGROUND 

Where  the  skies  are  warm  smiling 
And  all  sounds  give  bell  clearness, 
Where  the  sea  is  light  laughing 
Over  rocks  and  o'er  sand  curves, 
Gardens   lavishing    richness, 
Amid  languorous  perfume. 
Where  the  hills  call  alluring 
With  soft  olive  gray  tinting; 
Mountains   breathe   benediction. 
As  they  calm  us  to  silence; 
Where  the  heart  ever  dances, 
And  the  magic  is  matchless; 
Thou  art  our  Riviera! 
Joyous  mystical  land. 


BLOOD-ROOT 

When  the  little  brooks   along  the  stones   are 
tinkling 
As  they  sing 
In  early  spring — 

Where  the   Spirit   of  the  wood  its   still  watch 
keeps, 
And   never   sleeps — 
A  white  bud  peeps! 


58     a  Cf)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  (SoD 

Throwing    little    covers    off — all    wreathed    in 
sheaves 
Of  soft  brown  leaves — 
The  warm  bud  heaves. 

Kissed  by  sunshine  flooding,  in  a  yellow  bar — 
At  zephyr's  jar 
It  bursts — a  star! 

To  the  tiny  flow'r,  were  sun  and  wind  and  sod 

A  magic  rod? 

Or  only  God? 
See,  its  heart  a  lovely  star  is  1  and  its  veins  flow 
blood! 

Welcome  little  kinsman. 

Little  brother  bud! 


UNIVERSAL  GIVER 

Nature, — Universal   Giver, — 
To  thirsty  men  a  copious  river. 
Lavish  wealth  for  each  new  comer 
Alike  in  winter  as  through  summer. 
Poor  are  rich,  with  eyes  to  see 
Thy  beauty,  and  disciples  be. 
Aristocracy  is  where? 
With  least  as  greatest,  is  thy  care. 


a  Ct)iID'0  (Slimpge  of  (goD     59 

Love  out-poured  through  rain  and  shine — 
Thy  ways  not  human  but  divine — 
Divinely  human,  thus  divine. 


THE  SHOWER 

Fitter,  patter,  start  the  rain-drops. 

Whew !  whew  !  blows  the  wind. 
Then  suddenly  both  of  them  make  a  great  rout. 
And  battle  and  jostle  each  other  about; 

Then  limp,  and  limper,  just  die  out. 


THE  WIND 

(Childhood) 
I   HAVE   known   it   w^hen   it's    gentle,   when   it's 

soothing,  when  it's   soft; 
Crooning  song  of  Mother  Nature  to  her  weary 

little  child; 

(Youth) 
And  I've  known  it  when  it's  melancholy,  wailed 

of  desolation — 
Wand'ring  souls,  no  strength  of  prayer  could 

ever   rescue,   undefiled. 


60     a  €biW^  (glimpge  of  (goD 

(Manhood) 
Best,   I've   known   it   in   its   tempest  bursts   of 

majesty  and  right — 
It   has   found   its   God   of  courage,   and  'twill 

ne'er  give  up  the  fight! 


I 

THE  DAISY 

Now  if  I  could  be  a  flower, 
I  would  be  no  blossom  lazy. 
But  a  hardy  country  beauty, 
Just  a  democratic  daisy. 


II 

THE  ROSE 

*'0h  no,"  cried  the  delicate  rose-bud, 
Softly  curling  its  petals  with  scorn. 
And  blushing  its  pink  a  bit  deeper, 
"For  'tis  I,  am  on  loving  hearts,  worn!" 


a  CftilD'g  (glimp0e  of  (goD     6i 
III 

THE  LILY 

Where  church-bell  chimes,  the  lily  sings 
Of  royal  love,  and  mystic  scenes, — 
White  emblem  of  the  King  of  Kings ! 
She  of  the  flowers,  queen  of  queens. 


IV 

THE  SUN-FLOWER  TURNS  TO  THE  SUN 

See  Thy  worshipping  sun-flower, 
Pour  Thy  light  in  his  heart ; 
Then  his  soul  will  grow  golden, 
For  of  Thee  he's   a   part, 
And  his  mirror  Thou  art. 


RED,  WHITE  AND  BLUE 

Bitter-sweet  and  everlasting. 
With  the  cedar-berry  blue, — 
This  bouquet  I  love  the  best ! 
What  appeals  the  most  to  you? 


62     a  Cf)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  (goD 

WOODSY 

I  LOVE  you,  lovely  hills  and  wood-lands, 
Broad  rough  earth  that  gives  me  rest, 

And  you,  compact   and  shapely  cedar, 
Stout  large  oak,  with  swaying  crest. 

O  see  the  dainty  trailing  sweet-briar! 

Chipmunk,  do  not  spring  your  rattle, 
O  fear  not  that  I'll  harm  you,  chippy, 

I'm  not  here  to  give  you  battle. 

Now  don't  tell,  chippy,  and  I'll  whisper 

How  it  is  I  sit  here  hidden 
Upon  this  warm,  still,  autumn  hill-slope. 

Where  you  think  I  am  not  bidden. 

For  I'm  a  mother  also,  chippy, 

And  I  have  four  little  ones 
I'm  hoarding  in  that  house  above  there. 

Hear  the  sounds  of  distant  tones ! 

The  Father's  there,  and  others  helping. 
Hear  the  children's  voices  ring! 

But  wouldn't  you  run  off,  too,  sometimes 
If  to  you  they  always  cling? 


a  CfeflD'0  (glimpse  of  (SoD     63 

And  so,  don't  wonder  that  this  morning, 

Seizing  hat,  I  ran  away 
Where  I  could  hear  symphonic  nature ! 

See  the  mighty  tree-tops   sway ! 

I  can't  be  always  hunting  apples. 

Leaves  and  nuts  and  winter  stuff; 

Now  don't  you  scold  me,  striped  chippy, 
Or  I'll  think  you're  very  gruff! 

And  for  awhile  alone  with  sunshine, 

I  will  breathe  the  fresh  breeze  in, 

Ah,  how  I  glory  in  this  color! 
Loving  nature   is   no   sin. 

Oh,  on  rumble,  old  hooting  steam-car, 
Wind  behind  the  hills  and  fade. 

For  you  would  spoil  this  lovely  dream-land. 
If  your  noise  much  nearer  strayed. 

Oh,  rustle,  oak-trees !  swirl,  ye  nut-trees ! 

Crickets,  locusts,  tune  your  lyres, 
For  I   would  list   to  boundless  nature, 

Gather  strength  that  never  tires ! 

And  then  I'll  go  back  to  my  chippies. 
With  a  heart  refreshed  and  true, 

With  strength  from  you,  dear  earth  and  wood- 
land, 
I  will  thank  our  God  for  you. 


64     a  Ct)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  <goD 

THE  CALL  OF  THE  WOOD-NYMPHS 

Drop  your  work  and  come  and  play, 
For  the   spirit  would  away ; 
Budding  Nature's  tribute  pay! 
Away !  Away ! 

Frolic  with  the  wood-nymphs  gay, 
See,  we  dance  and  float  for  aye ; 
Sunny  smiles  our  joys  betray. 
Sing  ho !   Sing  hey ! 

'Tis   the  blooming  month    of   May, 
Sing  of  youth  and  not  decay; 
Come,  oh   come,  oh  answer  yea! 
We'll  take  no  nay ! 

Swing  with  sprite  and  elfin  fay. 
Pipe  our  merry  roundelay. 
Join  us  in  our  holiday ! 

Ah  do,  we  pray! 


THE  HEIGHTS 

In  this  wealth  of  God's  fair  country 
Let  us  gain  the  highest  hills : 
Mind  and  spirit  follow  upward, 
And  the  soul  in  Godland  thrills! 


a  CSilD'g  (glimpge  of  <goD     65 

LOVELY  NATURE 

Would  you  rather  be  a  mountain?  or  a  val- 
ley? or  a  lake? 
Be  a  river?  or  an  island?  or  the  sea? 
There  are  parallels  in  love ! 
Ever  larger  vistas  seek. 
Ask  for  God,  while  you're  searching! 
The  completed  landscape  He ! 


THE  SOUL  OF  NATURE 

When  dizzy  with  the  city  life 

And,  oh,  so  weary  of  its  streets, 

And  deafened  with  its  dinging  noise. 
Or  well-nigh  stifled  with  its  heats, 

One  little  spot — you  dear  old  park — 
I  flee  to,  from  deceitful  crowds. 

On  many  little  lonely  paths 

I  roam,  and  sing,  or  cry  aloud ! 

I  breath  deep  breaths.     Address  the  squirrels, 
Or  trees,  or  birds,  or  rock,  or  hill; 

Wish  no  response  but  just  the  voice 

Of  Nature,  solemn,  calm  and  still. 


66     a  Ci)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  (goO 

I  love  you  in  your  varied  moods — 

In  every  season  and  out  season — 

When  trees  are  green — when  trees  are  nude. 
Your    charm    and   beauty, — strength    and 
reason. 

But  best,  in  winter,  after  rain; 

No  greens,  no  reds,  no  color  scenes. 
But  only  blacks  and  browns  so  plain, 

Foundations  of  what  Nature  means — 

The  soppy  sod,  the  gaunt  black  trunks. 

The  clean-cut  branch,  the  naked  bush — 

The  central  core  of  strength  and  truth 

Show  facts,  not  frills.     In  Nature's  hush 

These  stand  before  me :  as  'mong  men 

A  crisis  passed,  friend  sees  his  friend; 

The  Superficial  of  the  hour 

Are  fall'n  away.     Eternals  tower! 

All  washed  of  dross,  from  cov'ring  pure 
The  soul  of  Nature  will  endure. 


a  Cf)iID'0  01imp0e  of  ©od     67 


JUNE  NESTS 


I  STARTED  down  the  hill-slope,  with  my  pitcher 
for  the  spring, 

I  heard  a  whir,  and  saw  a  thrush  mount  soar- 
ing on  its  wing; 

Part  hid  beneath  a  shingle  old,  five  flecked 
w^hite  eggs  snug  lay. 

All  cuddled  in  their  grassy  nest,  beneath  the 
sun's  warm  ray. 

I  longed  to   show  my  own  young  brood,  that 

lovely  hidden  nest. 
So  called  my  little  fledgelings  and  they  showed 

it  to  the  rest. 
My  naughty  little  girliekin  brought  visitors  a 

score. 
And  once  she  moved  the  shingle ! — so  the  birdie 

came  no  more. 
That   lovely   little   cozy  nest,   deserted  by   the 

mother. 
Accuses  me,  each  day  I  pass !  I'll  never  show 

another ! 

But  if  you  softly  follow^  me,  behind  a  stone- 
wall near. 

In  crotch  of  silver-maple,  there's  a  sturdy 
mansion  here! 


68     a  Cf)ilti^0  (glimpge  of  (goD 

Within  its  shapely  circle  are  three  robin's  eggs 

so  blue, 
I  will  not  tell  the  children.     I'm  only  showing 

you! 

Up  there  upon  the  hill-top,  twenty  paces  from 

the  wall 
Is  wee-est,  finely-woven  nest,  with  three  sweet 

birdies   small, 
One  tiny  egg  not  yet  out-hatched;  all  huddled 

in  together, 
These   naked  little  birdies   are,  with   scarce   a 

trace  of  feather! 

And  near  a  stone,  not  far  away,  I  found  an 

empty  nest, 
The  parents  had  been  faithful,  but  the  young 

had  flown,  I  guessed. 

Dear  Father,  we're  so  grateful  that  we've  not 

an  empty  nest, 
We    robins    in   Thy    vineyard,    out    upon    our 

earthly  quest. 
Protecting   Parent,   may   Thy   young   in   what 

they  do  or  sing, 
All  lovely   and  all  holy,  gather  joyous  'neath 

Thy  wing! 


a  CftilD'g  (gtimpge  of  (goD     69 

JOY,  JOY,  JOY! 

Joy  to  be  a  blossom  gay ! 
Smile,  if  you're  a  leaf! 
Happy  if  a  happiness 
Cheery  if  a  grief! 

Joyous  if  a  butterfly ! 
Jolly  if  a  toad! 
Radiant  if  an  ecstasy ! 
Cheery  if  a  load! 

Joy  to  be  a  sunrise  rare ! 
Smile  if  setting  sun  ! 
Cheer,   discarded   brother,   or 
If  the  chosen  one! 

Glorious  a  baby  new! 
Happy  if  a  man ! 
Joy  to  be  a  part  of  God ! 
Bound  to  be — you  can  ! 

God  still  holds  His  world  in  hand. 
Don't  you  know  it's  true? 
Joy's  in  everything  for  me ! 
Joy's  in  all  for  you ! 


70     a  Cf)ilD'0  (5Iimp0e  of  ©oD 


LOVE,  FAITH  AND  JOY 

"Every  morning  seems  to  say: 
There's  something  happy  on  the  way, 
And  God  sends  love  to  you !" 

Every  evening  breathes  a  prayer, 
Of  gratefulness  for  your  soul's  share. 
Of  faith  divine,  in  you! 


O  j  oy !     Joy  bursts  the  bonds  of  mind 
And  wings  the  soul  to  seek  its  kind! 
The  j  oy  with  God,  for  you ! 


'TIS  GOD! 

All  earth's  verdure  deep  greening! 
The  wide  heavens  blue  shining! 
For  they  wear  the  corona  of  love! 
Who  loves  them?     'Tis  God! 


The  soft  air  is  faint  fragrant ! 
The  June  roses  are  sweet'ning! 
They  have  caught  the  aroma  of  love! 


g  CftilD'0  (Slimpge  of  @oD     71 

Wild  vine  tendrils  are  curling! 
Wild  rose  petals  are  falling  1 
Breezes  smile  with  the  archness  of  love! 
Who  loves  them?     'Tis  God! 

Golden-hearted  the  sunset ! 
Far  proclaiming  its  lover! 
See  its  soul  sings  the  vict'ry  of  love! 

Then  idealize  the  loved-one, 
For  we  love  when  idealizing 
The  ideal  is  the  ecstasy  love! 

Who  loves  them?     'Tis  God! 

Do  you  know  what  your  quest  is? 
Do  you  see  what  you're  nearing? 
The  ideal  of  each  soul  is  his  God! 

So  then  love  the  great  Nature! 

All  Humanity  !  Divinity  ! 

And   your  love's   ever  bringing  you  God ! 

He  loves  you!     'Tis  God! 

Adore  Him!  Your  God! 


IV 


A   GLIMPSE   OF   GOD   THROUGH   LOVE 
AND   MARRIAGE 


RESERVE 

The  bee  selects  its  blossom, 
The  magnet,  true  must  swerve, 
The  lightning  has   its   pathway. 
The  soul  holds  its  reserve. 


PREPARATION 

Before  the  storm  burst  mighty, 
A  stillness  subtly  awes ; 
Before  great  undertakings 
There  comes  a  timid  pause. 


JUSTICE 

Our  world  needs  its  goddess  of  Hope 
And  Love,  thy  sweet  message  of  light, 
But  hearts  need  the  aching  of  "Pain," 
An  Amos,  for  Justice  to  smite. 


75 


76     a  CI)ilD'0  aiimpse  of  ©oD 


HOPE 

Sweet  Hope  is  a  winged  white  cyclamen! 

A  fairy-like  butterfly  dancing  1 

A  humming-bird  daintily  poising! 

A  breeze  whirling  leaves  in  the  autumn! 

A  gale  blowing  free  in  the  winter! 

Brave  Hope  soars  to  heights  that  are  viewless, 

The  hills  left,  and  birds  passed,  and  winds  too, 

And  old  Father  Time  left  a-far  off. 

Ah  Hope !  spirit  matchless,  heroic, 

Pray  smooth  thou  a  brow  with  thy  warm  touch, 

And  wrap  thou  a  heart,  oh,  so  tender. 

Then  sweep  thou  a  soul  to  its  glory ! 


LONGING 

Longing  takes  us  up  on  wings, 

Images  ideal  things — 

Charmed,   the   heart   soars   up   and  sings. 

As  it  clings. 
All  the  shackles  loose  and  fall — 
Duties,  worries,  burdens,  all 
Vanish,  at  the  mystic  call, — 

We're  in  thrall ! 
Keep  your  longings,  long  for  aye. 
Lighten  earth  with  fairy  sky — 
Visions  of  the  bye-and-bye 

In  a  sigh ! 


a  CftilD'g  (Slimpge  of  <SoD     77 

TRUST 

In  proportion  as  we  trust  Thee 

Do  we  Love  Thee,  deep  and  true. 

Heaven's  standard !  Mortal's  standard ! 
Flooding  earth  with  spirit  new. 


WHAT  WAS  IT? 

What  was  it  that  rested  my  soul? 

What  was  it  that  caused  me  to  sigh? 

What  wafted  all  cares 

Away  on  the  airs, 

With  its  melody  up  in  the  sky? 
A  dream  in  the  throat  of  a  bird, 
And  I  heard. 

Wliat  was  it  that  caused  me  to  weep? 

That  bore  me  with  wings  up  on  high? 

All  tearless  before, 

I  wept  all  the  more 

At  the  gleam  of  the  love  in  an  eye. 
A  heart   in   a   song  without  words 
Like  the  birds. 


78     a  Ct)ilD'0  (Slimpge  of  (Son 

What  was  it  transfigured  the  soul? 

And  swept  all  the  world  in  its  sea? 

The  knowledge  of  God 

Redeeming  the  clod 

And  lifting  the  you  and  the  me. 
In  bending  all,  all  to  Thy  will, 
"Peace,  be  still." 

It  matters  not  what  is  to  come, 

I  have  seen!  I  have  seen  the  Divine! 

All  life  hath  details. 

But   God  never   fails. 

Forever  now  Thy  will  be  mine! 
Sweet  songs,  loving  duties  to  do. 
Hold  me  true. 


BROKEN  HEARTS 

My   little   heart   has    broken. 
Has  broken  many  times ! 

Yet  mind  and  spirit  rally, 
And  still  sing  loving  chimes. 


3  €i)iID'0  (Slimp0e  of  0oD     79 

ALWAYS  IN  LOVE 

Oh  why  am  I  always  in  love? 

The  answer  is  easy  to  see — 

For  God  has  made  lavishly, 
Souls  that  are  lovely, 
And   made    an    appreciative   me. 


TRUE  LOVE 


True  love  is  longing  that  the  loved  one 
Shall  obtain  just  what  he  would; 
Effaced  the  lover,  not  to  move  him. 
Never  daring  dream  we  could. 

A  spirit  link  for  everlasting! 
March  of  fate,  breathlessly  dear ! 
Though  lone,  not  lonely,  tho'  love-fasting. 
Some  hour  has   struck — a   God   is   near. 

n 

Though  we  live  in  the  ideal. 
Yet  to  go  thro'  life  love-fasting 
When  we  still  live  in  the  real; 
Noble  souls  their  pure  love  casting 


80     a  Ct)ilD'0  (Stimpge  of  (goD 

May  be  scanting  God  and  Nature. 
One  deep  love  proves  others  fine ! 
Give  yourself,  where  all  is  worthy, 
Love  is  human — thus  divine. 


THE  MEANING  OF  LOVE 

I  KNOW  now  the  meaning  of  love ; 
How  blind  was  the  thing  that  I  gave 
In  earlier  feelings  of  youth! 
A  love  immature  it  was  then, 
A  love  more  responsible  now. 

Ah,  that  was  the  rudderless  kind, 
Unsettled,  unseeing,  it  groped. 
Was  fickle ;  or  wrestling,  was  lost ; 
All  ready  to  grow,  but  O  where? 
Unripe,  for  the  soul  was  unripe. 
An  Undine  was  waiting  her  call. 

And  now  with  Life's  lessons,  there  comes 
The  why  of  a  soul  in  its  growth: — 
And  never  to  force  or  impede 
But   let   every   life   slow  unfold. 

And  if  a  warm  spirit  appears 
Sustaining  and  soothing  and  fine. 


a  C&tlD'g  (Slimpge  of  <goO     8i 

And  prays  for  exchange  with  your  own, 

Congenial  in  temperament, 

And  noble,  directing  your  force. 

And  feeling  the  help   that  you  give. 

There's  sanction  of  God  to  the  plan. 

Then  safe  is  the  answer  with  Him ! 

And  Heaven  will  justify  both! 


THROUGH  LOVE  TO  DUTY,  THROUGH 
DUTY  TO  LOVE 

Love,  Life  gave  me. 

So  I  took  it. 

Love,  stern  "duty,"  proved  to  be. 

Hope's  eternal — 

Trust  it  ever ! 

"Duty,"  drew  me  unto  thee. 

Does  God  mean  it? 

Dare  I  take  it? 

Is  this  love  then  all  for  me? 

Joy  eternal ! 

Dare   I  say  it? 

Love,  then  drown  me  in  thy  sea ! 


82     a  Ct)ilD'0  ®limp0e  of  (Son 

YOUNG  LOVE 

Suddenly,  there  was  a  mortal, 
One  of  many,  one  for  me! 
Simply  sat  he  there  before  me. 
Unasked,  unlooked-for,  chance-born,  he. 

A  velvet-soft  electric  beam  shot. 
Wistful,  rev'rent,  oh  so  good! 
From  out  the  windows  of  his  spirit, 
Lordly  claiming,   as   love  should. 

Yet  dragged  the  months,  yes  years,  of  testing 
Lest  we  should  not  obey  that  text — 
Wait,  elfish  god  of  golden  fetters ! 
God  of  goodness,   solve  what  next? 

PRAYER 

Only  pray  Thou  solv'st  it  my  way. 

Oh !  my   Father,   grant   me   this ! 

Must  all  mortals  wait  for  heaven 

Ere  they  find  full  heavenly  bliss? 

Love,  warm  love,  each  day  renewing 

Human  love  and  human  kiss — 

I'll   not    fail   Thee:   know   Thy    child.  Lord— 

I'll  not  serve  Thee  less,  for  this. 


a  CftiID'0  (5limp0e  of  ©oD     83 


GOD'S  MYSTERY 


It  is  not  that  I  do  not  trust  Thee, 

Only  trust  is  not  enough. 

I  must  be  content  in  trusting, 

Yet  content  will  not  bide  near 

Till  from  out  the  unsolved  mystery 

Grow  the  meanings  marching  clear. 

When  the  heart  feels  All  is  with  it, 

And  subtle  glamour  glorifies, 

Then  the  mystery  clings  charming 

As  a  lens  which  magnifies. 

But  when  cold  the  heart  is  sinking. 

With  just  a  fluttering  hope  that  frights, 

Ah,  the  mystery  is  numbing 

As  it  stalks  through  sleepless  nights. 


II 

TOO    HIGH    FOR    RIVALRY 

Do  you  love  him,  then  as  I  do? 
And  thus  loving  would  resign  him? 
And  accept  the  fate  God  gives  you? 
All,  poor  girl,  my  heart  is  heavy. 
Sobs  for  you,  and  sighs  for  me. 
Might  one  die  and  end  the  sorrow ! 


84     a  Ct)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  <got> 

On  life's  bosom  both  are  hurled. 
Thus  a  brave  and  saddened  spirit 
Struggles  lonely  through  the  world. 
It  has  been  my  fate  to  suffer, 
Is  your  anguish,  too,  as  long? 
Which  of  us  can  mount  its  cry.^^ 
Take  him,  dear  girl,  help  him  grandly. 
Seek  God's  truth  through  earth  and  sky. 
Lord,  help  Thou  Thy  weary  children, 
Guide  Thou  him — we  dare  not  try. 


Ill 

UNION 

Yet  were  he  strong  enough  to  battle 
With  saddened  past,  toward  every  truth. 
Were  he  nobler  than  the  noblest. 
Earnest  man  from  zealous  youth — 
And  were  his  love  as  staunch  as  truth  is, 
And  were  his  purpose  writ  as  clear. 
Steadfast,  thoughtful,  helpful,  reverent — 
Ah,  we'd  gain,  thou  comrade  near ! 
Together  serve  our  God  and  Maker, 
Together  win  our  brothers  on. 
Do  our  mite  to  bring  the  Kingdom — 
Hail  the  consecrated  throng. 
Ring  the  victory  of  the  highest! 
Sing  the  deepest  thrilling  song! 


a  CftilD'g  (Slimpge  of  (goO     85 

IV 

DESTINY 

A  soul  is  greater  than  conditions, 
Essential  need  is  God  alone, 
All  the  rest  are  stepping-stones 
Leading  up  to  spirit  realm. 
Oft  men  tie  themselves  to  others 
And  neglect  the  higher  life — 
When  the  tide  sweeps  off  these  others, 
Heart  and  spirit  close  in  strife. 
With  groping  hands,  on  bended  knees. 
They  seek  the  rudder  on  life's  seas. 
Saddened  ;  comforted  ;  Inspired! 
Incidents  are  to  the  soul 
But  the  means,  and  not  the  end — 
But  the  guides,  and  not  the  goal. 


IN  MY  HEART 

There  are  often  times  when  with  thee 

That  I  doubt  not  that  thee  loves  me. 

When  a  flash  of  restful  certainty  so  soothing 

calms  my  cares. 
When  I  feel  that  we're  united. 
That  thee  loves  me  deeply  surely ; 
All  the  joyousness  and  wonder  of  this  life  the 

other  shares. 


86     a  Cftilti^g  (glimpge  of  &on 

But  the're  times,  too,  when  we've  parted, 

Leaving  with  me,  nascent  craving. 

And  a  disappointed  feeling  that  so  much  has 

been  withheld, 
That  I've  given  and  not  gotten; 
That  response  is  still  uneven; 
Freest  spirit,  all  outpouring,  has  been  scattered 

or  been  quelled. 

These  long  years  of  knowing  thee,  dear, 
With  their  flashing  light  and  darkness, 
Surely   give   me    all   the   intuition    any   woman 

needs. 
Were  thee  going  to  love  me,  truly, 
I  should  think  thee'd  know  it,  duly, 
Or — but   is   the  love  that's   fathomless,   a  love 

that  slowly  feeds? 

And  I  wonder  whether  always 

One  side  loves,  loves  more,  and  deeper.'* 

Is   my    nature   more   intense   than   thine   or   is 

thine  sure  but  slow? 
Yet  I  feel  that  thine  is  stronger, 
Why  then  does  it  take  thee  longer? 
Could  another  diff'rent  spirit  cause  in  thee  a 

nobler  glow? 

Yet  I  think  my  love's  eternal. 
Asks  a  less  return,  if  only 


a  C&ilD'g  (gltmpge  of  @oD     87 

Sure  that  it  inspires  a  happiness  as  great  as 
any  could. 

Pray  thee,  have  all  care  in  choosing 

If  my  winning  be  thy  losing 

Then  this  love  which  I  bear  for  thee  shall  for- 
ever be  withstood. 


For  I  pray  this  love  shall  always 

Make  me  joy  to  see  thee  happy, 

Where,   and  how,  and  with  whomever  it  shall 

be  thy  joy  to  be. 
We  are  both  through  God  unfolding, 
All  that's  noble  helps  in  moulding; 
Trusting  Him  and  someone  else,  I  live  in  loving 

Him  and  thee. 


FAREWELL 

Farewell!  I  scorn  to  take  a  love  that  flows 
not  free! 

No  half  of  heart,  or  half  of  wish  or  will,  for 
me ! 

But  place  your  all — exchanged  for  mine — be- 
fore our  God. 

Or  ask  for  nought  from  me,  and  leave  the  way 
I  trod. 


88     a  CftilO^g  (glimpge  of  <goO 

No  outward  force  demands  or  asks  or  begs  or 

pleads, 
Alone  a  sympathetic  whole-souled  feeling  leads ; 
Command  I  not  this  realm  complete  and  free 

from  you? 
Then  leave  me  mortal  here,  and  seek  for  souls 

who  do. 

A  self-surrender  longed-for,  is  the  true  love- 
bond, 

For  neither  life  nor  death  can  change  that 
feeling  fond. 


THEN  TRY  ME,  LORD! 

Then  Try  me.  Lord,  and  I'll  not  shun! 
Oh  help   me   prove,  "Thy  will  be  done." 
Since  Time  began,  brave  feet  have  trod, 
The  man  of  men  is  child  of  God ! 

Thy  child  I'll  prove,  and  do  Thy  will, 
Tho'  lacking  earth-love,  lonely  still. 
Yet  lonely?     No!  My  Guide,  with  Thee 
I  live  in  love,  a  flooding  sea! 


a  CftilD'g  (5limp0e  of  (SoD     89 

DULL  HEARTS 

Oft   hearts   have   times    so   dull, 
They  neither  love  nor  hate — 
They  play   a   neutral  part — 
And  simply  hibernate. 

After  great  exertion, 
Bodies  need  a  rest. 
After  deeply  thinking, 
Sweet  rest  wraps  our  brain. 
After  ardent  loving, 
Feelings  lapse,  or  wane. 


SPRING 

Out,  out  to  the  warm  heart  of  Nature 
With  you,  my  unselfish  strong  friend — 
Joy  weaving  in  brilliantest  sunshine 
Our  romance  with  heavenly  end. 

Bright  blue  the  clear  skies  of  our  Eden, 
Italian  soft  dream-zephyrs  fan. 
Like  breath  of  the  pure  orange-blossoms 
Is  love  that  is  holy  in  man. 


90     Z  CfttlD'g  aiimpge  of  ®oD 

Then  here's  to  the  sacred  in  living! 
And  here's  to  the  sanctified  ties ! 
True  love  consecrated  in  Heaven 
Like  righteousness  high,  never  dies ! 

Oh  swear  not,  but  only  God  willing 
In  living  and  loving,  there  must 
Between  us,  mount  greater  forever 
Sweet  loyalty,  love  and  deep  trust. 

I  love  thee,  oh  love,  how  I  love  thee! 
If  God  or  your  heart  said  me,  no, 
I  love  thee  so  much  I'd  renounce  thee — 
Still  smiling  I'd  bless  thee,  and  go. 


MATE 

Thy  dark  beauty  enthralls  me, 
Thy  bright  temper  attunes  me, 
All  our  tastes  are  close-woven. 
Thou  hast  culture  and  learning, 
And  far  seeing,  can  lead  me. 
Simple  charm  makes  thee  winning. 
Self-control  makes  thee  master. 
Sweet,  thy  heart  is  rest's  haven. 
Yet  thy  mind  urges  onward 
Toward   perfection,   relentless ; 


3  CftilD'g  (gtimpge  of  <SoD     9i 

The  ideal  thy  soul  sees 
And  no  compromise  harbors, 
Thou  art  my  royal  hero 
And  "a  God,"  "in  the  germ !" 


TO  MY  LOVE 

Our  hearts  are  little  thirsty  flowers 
That  drink   in  love  like   sun   and  dew. 
We  draw  from  an  exhaustless  source. 
And  pour  it  out  on  all,  or  few. 

So   though  I  make  my  little  claim, 
Thy  flashing  ray  of  love  for  mine, 
I  joy  to  see  love's  colors  caught 
From  myriad  rays  of  love's  sunshine. 
And  bless  each  soul  that  gives  to  thee 
Invigorating  spirit-wine. 

Guard  sacred,  sources  whence  love  flows. 
It  helps  toward  all  that's  sweet  and  great. 
All  love  giv'n  thee,  is  richly  mine ! 
And  love  is  life,  and  love  is  fate. 

'Tis  strange!  each  joys  in  others'  joy; 
Each  strengthens   at  some  lieard-of  power 
For  mystic  wires  lead  currents  through 
A  wondrous,  interwoven  dower. 


92     a  CftilD'0  (glimpge  of  (goD 

Our  hearts  are  little  thirsty  flowers 
That  drink  in  love  like  sun  and  dew. 
I  crave  sweet  love  for  many  souls, 
But  most  of  all,  dear  heart,  for  you! 


TRUST 

My  love-mate,  thou  for  whom 
The  soul  breathes  sigh  for  sigh. 
My  life-mate  linked,  whose  smiles 
Dart  sunbeams  o'er  my  sky. 
Before  our  God,  hands-clasped, 
We'll  seek  what's  true  and  just: 
And  moulding  our  high  aims 
Keep  perfect  mutual  trust. 


IMMORTALITY 

Only  think  how  man  has  striven 
An  eternal  place  to  hold! 

Only  think  how  God  has  given 
Immortality  three-fold ! 


a  C{)iID'0  (Slimpge  of  (goD     93 

For  in  body,  mind,  and  spirit 

Man  can  make  immortal  gains, 

He  bequeaths  !  He  owns  !  Inherits  ! 
While  his  God  forever  reigns. 

Wisdom  says,  and  spirit  echoes 

If  you're  worthy,  do  your  part, 

In  your  records,  in  your  children. 

Leave  the  impress  of  your  heart. 

Naught  is  lost,  and  all  the  effort 
That  you  here  on  earth  exert 

Shall  live  on,  begetting  effort 
Animating  the  inert. 

Monuments  of  work  and  spirit 

Stand  and  testify  for  you. 
And  you're  strong  as  an  immortal 

In  your  children  strong  and  true. 

Children's   children,   and   their   children 
All  proclaim  that  still  you  live. 

And  the  centres  of  your  action 

Spring  anew,  and  impulse  give. 

Yet  the  surest  are  the  children 
Of  the  spirit  and  the  mind — 

Ever  with  your  high  ideals 

Are  these  sanctuaries  lined. 


94     3  Ci)ilD'g  (5limp0e  of  (goD 

No  one  else  can  do  jour  thinking, 
All  the  others  have  their  own; 

Give  your  soul  its  full  expression, 
Specialize  till  you  are  shown! 

Have  you  "vanished"  ?     Then  your  spirit 

In  that  land  of  mystery 
Right  begun,  still  on  is  working, 

All  from  God  through  history. 

Justifies  you  in  the  winning, — 

Insures  the  end  from  the  beginning. 

So  you're  storming  new-found  portals 
In  the  lands  of  the  immortals ! 


TO  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES 

No  one  is  perfect 

And  no  one  complete; 
How  much  better   than   others   your   lot! 

Pick  out  the  noble  traits. 

Herald  them  proudly, 
To  appreciate  that  which  you've  got. 

Never  look  tearfully, 
"Disagree  cheerfully !" 
Surely  there's  much  on  both  sides. 


a  C{)iID'0  ©Iimp0e  of  (SoD     95 


Let  personality, 

Like  a  fatality, 

Ebb  on  and  flow  on  in  tides. 

Freest  development 

Means  love's  envelopment 
Given,  not  forced,  in  the  end. 

Loosing,  is  holding  one ; 

Trusting,  not  scolding  one— 
Surely,  thus  jealousies  mend. 

Praising  the  real,  still 
Live  your  ideal,  till 

Helping  the  other  to  join — 
Letting  him  do  it,  in 
His  way,  you're  sure  to  win 

Spiritual  sympathy's  coin. 

Loyal  forever  be ! 

Traitors,  oh  never  be ! 
Leading  and  loving,  from  both. 

Light  of  Creator's  plan, 

Slowly  revealing  man, 
Asks — consecration   in   troth. 


96     a  Ci)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  <goD 

LOVE 

Oh,  when  I  catch  his  eager  step, 

And  hear  his  loving  tone, 

The  vexing  "worries"  of  the  day 

All  far  away  are  flown! 

I  only  feel  that  he  is  mine, 

And  I  his  very  own! 

I  glory  in  his  noble  strength. 

And  worship  at  his  throne. 

Bend  shoulders,  with  your  "burdens," 
Cry  "sorrows,"   cry  your  pain! 
But  love,  the  lord  of  comforters, 
But  love,  our  lord,  doth  reign! 


DEAR  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES 

Dear  Husbands  and  Wives,  these  conditions 
Are  not  so  important  at  all. 
Adapt  yourself  where   you  now  find  yourself, 
Human-soul,  that  is  God's   call. 

And  if  the   conditions   are  wretched, 
Some  lack  of  control  makes  the  fault. 
So  think  now  just  where  you  are  selfish. 
And  call  yourself  up  with  a  halt. 


3  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goD     97 

And  how  do  you  use  these  conditions? 
For  this  is  the  thought  you  must  keep. 
Oh  my,  how  much  worse,  too,  it  might  be! 
Then  why  in  the  world  do  you  weep? 

You  drunkards,  and  men  who  are  angry, 
Insane  men,  and  men  who   are  weak. 
Consult  some  true  sage,  or  some  doctor, 
A  stronger  new  self-control  seek. 

Strained  nerves  need  a  spiritual  healer. 
You're  tired ;  then  rest  all  you  can. 
But  keep  yourself  faithful  and  loyal! 
And  temperaments  can't  mar  the  man! 

Far  vision  can  give  you  advice, 
But  then  it  depends  upon  you. 
You  promised  progression  together, 
You  said  you'd  be  loyal  and  true. 

Yes,  short  separations  are  good. 
For  any  two  living  together ; 
Remember  you  two,  are  the  ones. 
Don't  seek  them  for  others,  forever. 

You  long  for  more  love  and  more  pure, 

This  pure  you'll  get  only  from  God, 

Give  pure,  you'll  get  pure,  from  pure  God-ness, 

In  God,  man,  or  beast,  or  the  clod. 


98     a  Ct)ilD'0  (Slimpge  of  (goD 

And  people  are  all  much  alike, 

Other  husbands  and  wives  much  the  same; 

You  feel  that  it  only  is  you? 

No  couple  should  think  of  that  claim. 

No  other  mate  fills  expectation, 
We  need  souls  unselfish  and  time, 
Do  you  find  that  standard  in  him? 
And  neither  he  finds  it  in  you. 

But  you'll  find  it  in  time  in  you  both. 
Must  try,  you  must  try,  you  must  try! 
Were't  easy,  t'were  not  worth  the  winning, 
God  calls  you!  'Tis  joyous  to  try! 

Remember  that  far  underneath 
This  rough  crust  is  hidden  the  soul; 
This  soul  is  a  part  of  God,  growing. 
And  bound,  in  its  time,  for  its  goal! 

So  turn-to,  make  over  yourselves. 
You  both  must  develop,  take  care. 
And  see  that  no  matter  what  comes. 
You  learn  just  to  bear  and  forbear. 


a  CftilD'g  01imp0e  of  (goD     99 

I  LOVE  YOU 

Our  minds  are  often  worlds  apart, 
With  diff 'ring  methods,  aims  and  art, — 
And  yet,  and  yet,  I  love  you ! 

Our  spirits,  searching  near  or  far, 
May  question  who  the  perfect  are. 
But  still,  but  still,  I  love  you! 

Our   hearts    are   tender,   warm    and    true, 
In  trust,  evolving  me  and  you. 
And  so,  and  so,  I  love  you ! 

Not  simply  what  you  do  or  say. 
Not  solely  what  you  are  to-day, 
My  future  you,  I  love  you! 


MARRIAGE 

When  we  marry  bodies  merely, 
We  marry  parts,  not  wholes ; — 
The  completed  perfect  marriage, 
Is  the  marriage  of  our  souls  ! 


100    a  CftilD'0  (glimpge  of  (Son 

HOW  CAN  I  KEEP  YOUR  LOVE?  HOW 
CAN  YOU  KEEP  MINE? 

'Tis  ever  love  that  leads  man  on, 
And  love  glides   after  nobler   soul; 
More   love   and   higher   is   our   yearning, 
At  last  we  find  in  God  our  goal. 

I  want  to   keep  your  love  forever? 
Then  I  must   pure   and  worthy  prove, 
For  only  in  idealization 
Lies  ecstatic  love! 

Much  so-called  love  is  only  pity, 
Compassion,  help,  unselfish  cheer, 
But  radiant  love  is  adoration 
For  one  nobler,  held  more  dear. 

If  the  standard  then  be  lowered. 
Adoration  glides  away; 
Friendly  feelings  may  be  given. 
Ecstatic  love  can  no  more  stay. 

The  soul  aspires  and  must,  forever ; 
Hiffh  souls  draw  hearts  as  sure  as  fate ! 
We  see  a  better  soul,  our  heart  soars. 
Sings,  and  grows  to  this  estate. 
But  then  a  higher  still,  is  sought  for, 
All  unconscious  or  perceived, 


3  Ci)ilD'0  ©Hmp0e  of  ©oD    loi 


For  thus  we're  led  up  to  our  God-hood 
Drawn  and  lifted  and  retrieved. 

Ah,     you     can    lift     me,    you     can    lead    me, 
By  your  conduct  noble,  pure ; 
Each  spark  of  God  in  you  I  cherish, 
Honor,  worship,  they  endure! 


BE  RESPONSIBLE,  OH  MAN ! 

Be  responsible,  each  one ! 

Don't  go  weakly  drifting  on! 
Be  a  man  of  God  and  not  a  careless  boy ! 

Be  responsible  to  self! 

And  thus  to  the  God  within ! 
So-called  "sacrifice"  is  really  greater  Joy ! 

Never  undertake  a  thing. 

Unless  you  swear  within  your  soul. 
That  you'll  carry  out  your  part  unto  the  end. 

And  then  see  that  this  resolve 

Is  put   full  into  your  work, 
Ev'ry  energy  within  you  toward  this  bend ! 

When  you  feel  temptation  strong. 
And  you  know  that  it  is  wrong, 
Then  just  turn  about  and  walk  the  other  way. 
Choose  a  course  that's  noble,  high! 


102    a  Cf)ilD'0  (glimp0e  of  @on 

And  stick  to  it,  though  you  die! 
Harken  only  to  what  God  and  conscience  say! 

Perfect  work  and  perfect  life ! 

Perfect  husband  I  Perfect  wife  ! 
Perfect  father,  mother,  brother,  sister,  son! 

Hold  this  thought,  and  this  ideal! 

For  'tis  yours  to  make  it  real ! 
You  can  do  it,  for  'tis  God  who  calls  you  on ! 


GLIMPSE    OF   GOD   THROUGH   LOVE 
AND  FRIENDSHIP 


HERE'S  TO  OUR  FRIENDS! 

We've  homes,  and  fond  hearts,  and  near  kin- 
dred, 
Our  Maker,  we  thank  Thee  who  lends. 
Enduring  and  strong  are  these  home  ties, 
But,  toast-master,  here's  to  our  Friends ! 

So  held  in  our  dear  lines  familiar. 
We  truly  forgot  that  we  could 
Say,  "Here's  to  our  lovely  'outsiders'  " ! 
Ah,  wine  of  the  spirit,  how  good! 

And  into  our  skies  breaks  a  lightning 
Astounding,  and  vividly  bright ; 
Oh,  magic !  the  circuit  is  rounded, 
And  heaven  high  bursts  on  our  sight ! 

To  prove  us,  refresh  and  inspire  us. 
To  walk  where  high  spirits  have  trod, 
To  light  up  great  reaches  of  wonder 
In  mounting  the  pathway  to  God ! 

So  after  our  loves — the  home-circle — 
Thou  tenderest  Parent  who  sends 
All  glory — the  gold  and  the  star-light, 
Grant  friendship,  heroic  sweet  friends ! 
105 


106    a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (Son 

THE  SYMPHONY 

Ah,  there's  a  face,  I  once  knew  well! — 
With  train  of  crowding  thought ; 
And  here's  a  song,  whenever  sung. 
With  presence  sweet  is  fraught. 

How  many  scenes  in  busy  life 
Bring  worlds  back,  from  the  past ; 
Oft  bitter-sweet,  yet  all  so  sweet; 
And  somehow,  all  will  last. 

For  each  new  step  that  life  has  brought 
Has  meanings  of  its  own. 
And  ev'ry  note  that  rings,  through  life, 
Swells  large  the  grand  full  tone. 


DEEP  CALLETH  UNTO  DEEP 

Held  in  a  fog  bank  of  mystery, 

Each  soul  dwells  alone  and  apart ; 

Yet  in  time  will  it  burst  its  frail  curtain, 

Thrilling  many  another  strong  heart. 

Soul,  wouldst  thou  fly  thy  cramped  prison? 
Lo,  thy  warden  with  secret  keys  see! 
Divine  spirit  is  claiming  thy  coming. 
It  demands  the  divine  that's  in  thee. 


a  CftiID'0  01imp0e  of  <5oD    107 


SPIRITUAL  LOVE  IN  FRIENDSHIP 

If  our  spirits  are  blended  in  quest, 

We  shall  know. 
If  our  hearts  are  a-tune  and  at  rest, 

We  shall  grow. 
The  wine-of-the-spirit  gives  zest, — 

Kneel  in  prayer. 
If  we're  living  our  highest  and  best, 

God  is  there. 
Such  sweetness  flows  in  that  we're  blessed, 

And  such  power! 
For  true  love  in  brave  work  is  expressed, 

From  that  hour. 


SOULS 

These  wonderful  limitless  things, — 
UnknoTVTi  and  unmeasured,  on  wings. 
How  dare  I,  how  dare  you,  suggest 
Development?     What  is  the  best? 


SPIRIT  HELD  IN  PHYSICAL  LEASH 

Ah,  how  the  body  yearns 
For  loving  rich  response, — 
Like    the    craving    of    the    drunkard    for    his 
draught. 


108    a  CftilD'g  aiimpge  of  (goO 

A  small  meed  lasts  not  long, 
Then  comes  the  quest  for  more, 
Only  are  we  satisfied  the  deeper  that  we  quaffed. 

These  misdirected  calls 
Will  rob  the  race  of  strength, 
We  will  squander  all  the  energy  in  store. 

To  escape  it,  up  and  act, 
And  help,  and  be  a  power, 
You'll  be  nobler,  you'll  be  stronger  than  before. 


GOD'S  CLOUD  OF  WITNESSES 

How  can  we  do  a  thing  that's  small. 
Or  drift  in  careless  fashion. 
Or  lie,  or  steal,  or  fight  at  all, 
Give  way  to  selfish  passion ! 
When  all  the  noblest  heroes,  saints. 
Loved  friends  of  sweetest  living, 
In  heaven's  realm  are  looking  on, 
Beseeching  prayers  are  giving ! 

The  noblest  part  in  heart  of  friend. 
Is  just  the  God-within  him, 
And  this  is  what  we  truly  love ; 
God  wins  us  thus — we  win  Him ! 


g  CftilO'g  (glimpge  of  (goD    io9 

Oh,  God,  that  spark  in  each  high  soul. 

Thou  marvelous  fatality! 

Thou  grand  deep  source  whence  springs  all  love, 

Thou  wondrous  personality ! 

Look  on  our  lives !  look  on  our  acts ! 
And  loving  us,  thus  aid  us ! 
We  raise  our  eyes  to  meet  Thy  gaze ! 
We're  God-pure,  as  Thou  made  us  ! 


THE  SWEET  STORY 

I  FEEL  as  I  read  the  sweet  page  of  saints'  lives, 
How  God  is  now  here  among  men ; 
He  calls  to  men's  souls  in  His  clarion  tones ! 
And  all  hearts  must  awake  to  Him  then ! 

I  feel  that  God's  love  is  now  touching  my  heart, 
And  His  faith  is  now  thrown  around  me ; 
The  light  is  too  great  this  full  joy  to  attain; 
Draw  thy  blind  little  children  to  Thee ! 

But  strong,  at  His  knighting,  with  prayer,  we 

may  grow. 
And  win  that  rare  joy  of  His  love ! 
And  if  we  now  zealously  serve  him  below. 
We'll  grow  like  Him  and  see  Him  above ! 


110    a  Cf)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  (Son 

God   in   you,   too,   His   beautiful  place,  would 

prepare. 
Rise  glorified,  washed  and  forgiven ! 
In  the  beauty  of  heart  of  the  god-like  souls  here, 
God  is  showing  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven ! 


THE  SON  TO  HIS  GOD 

Oh,  Father,  still  give  Thou  me  strength, 
Pour  balm  in  my  hungering  heart, — 
Oh,  fill  me,  give  comfort  and  hope. 
Supply  me  soul-science,  soul-art. 

My  spirit  moves  weary  and  slow. 
Could  speed  to  its  goal  had  it  power; 
Commune  with  me,  God,  give  my  mind 
God-consciousness  hour  by  hour. 

My  heart  must  not  tremble,  but  stand 
Courageous  and  steadfast  and  sweet ; 
My  mind  must  hold  firm  to  the  end. 
The  soul  will  prove  sane  and  complete. 


a  C{)flD'0  &lmpH  of  igoD     111 

II 

GOD  TO  HIS  SON 

Then  rest,  little  heart  of  my  heart, 
And  then  peace,  little  soul  of  my  soul, 
Thou  hast  earned  the  "well-done," 
Oh,  my  consecrate  son, 
And  God-consciousness  always  thy  goal! 

Thy  heart  fires  all  hearts  but  to  serve, 

With  thy  strength  resting  broadly  on  mine; 

For  no  human  tie  could. 

Were  it  ever  so  good. 

Thus  exalt  like  the  Infinite  God ! 

So  rest,  little  heart  of  my  heart. 
And  so  peace,  little  soul  of  my  soul. 
Thou  hast  earned  the  "well-done" 
Oh  my  strong,  steadfast  son, — 
And  communion  with  God  is  thy  goal. 


112    a  CftilD'g  ®ltmp0e  of  @aD 

GOD  NEAR 

May  Thy  child  who  once  thought  Thee 

So  far  off  and  above, 

From  now  on  find  Thee  near, 

Sweet  as  cooing  of  dove. 

In  his  heart  feel  Thy  love ! 

Then  no  man  can  annoy, 

For  his  soul  sings  with  joy! 


ACTION 

Let  Thy  child  who  stood  passive, — 

Thinking  Thou  didst  it  all, 

Know  Thou  long'st  for  his  help, — 

That  the  clarion  call 

Is  Thy  "voice,"  "still"  and  "small." 

Let  him  rise  to  God-power ! 

'Tis  his  birth-right,  his  dower! 


EACH  IN  HIS  PLACE 

For  each  heart  finds  its  aim — 
Seeks  its  destiny  real, 
Is  essential  as  cog 
In  eternity's  wheel, 


a  Ci)!!D'0  (glimpge  of  (goD    ii3 

Making  other  hearts  feel ! 

In  succession  aspire ! 

Swept  on  higher  and  higher ! 


IRRESISTIBLE 

She's  the  dearest  little  mortal  that  I  know ! 
All  her  face  with  winning  sweetness  is  a-glow, 
For  she   opens  wide   the   gates,   and  let's   God 
show. 


The  calm  power  of  her  spirit  leadeth  mine, 
From  her  soul  her  deep  enthusiasms  shine. 
Oh!  then,  who  could  be  resisting  the  divine? 

So  now,  all  you  little  maidens 

Who  would  creep  into  our  hearts. 
There's  a  surer  way  to  do  it 

Than  through  "Nature,"  or  through  "Arts." 
Only  make  yourselves  a  pathway 

Clear,  for  God's  resistless  power. 
Be  assured,  that  path  established, 

You  lead  legions  from  that  hour. 


114    a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (SoO 

TO  MARY  K. 

Flitting  fancies  steal  at  sight  of  thee, 
Mary,  dainty  bit  of  glowing  porcelain ! 
Thou  hint  of  pansies,  purple,  with  dark  eyes ! 
A  playmate  fit  for  slender  dappled  fawn. 
Within  an  English  garden,  with  elms  American ! 
Whence  comes  that  wondrous  fire  that  burns? 
Those  eyes,  so  eager,  so  alert,  so  true? 
A  holy  stillness  guards  thy  potent  soul ; 
Timid,  but  'till  it  hears  the  clarion  call. 
Then  like  an  arrow  to  its  mark  it  flies. 
With    purity    of    thought    stripped    clean    of 

compromise. 
And  all  thy  will  a  wealth  of  rectitude. 
Oh,  thou  with  quality  of  soul  to  which  we  kneel 
Be  ever  guide  and  lover  and  our  friend. 


ETERNAL  LOVE  IN  FRIENDSHIP 

I  MUST  not  find  centre  in  you? 

But  I'm  bound  to  find  centre  in  God! 

'Tis  the  God  in  the  you  that  I  love, 

Found  above,  you  in  God,  pure  the  love  1 

And  a  love  that  is  larger  than  matter 

Has  reason  for  being,  in  soul. 

'Tis  a  love  all  in  line  with  God's  love. 


a  Cf)fID'g  (Slimpge  of  <SoD    ii5 

And  finding,  here's  part  of  my  goal,  a  noble  and 

spiritual  goal ! 
Then  matter's  subdued  'neath  my  feet, 
Love's  safe  with  our  God  «'here  we  meet ! 


FRIENDSHIP 

Friendship  is  not  food  for  babes ! 
It  leads  us  to  our  God-like  goals ; 
It  is  not  for  luxuriant  bodies, 
Friendship  is  for  living  souls! 


SOULS'  MATES? 

Does  each  soul  have  one  mate?     I  don't  know! 
I'm  inclined  to  think  every  soul. 
With  all  others,  through  some  of  life's  flow, 
Here,  or  yet  on  eternity's  scroll. 
Is  mated. 

Now  with  these,  now  with  those,  we  progress. 
Any   +WO  help  each   other  with  power. 
If  but  on  the  same  aim,  they  lay  stress. 
With  the  emphasis  like,  ev'ry  hour, 
Thus   mated. 


116    a  Cf)ild'0  (Slimp0e  of  <SoD 

Here  on  earth,  we  must  keep  perfect  faith, 
Be  responsible,  in  ev'ry  place. 
The  hereafter  is  mine,  our  God  saith, 
All  pure  love  will  be  saved  to  His  race! 
'Tis  fated ! 


MARRIAGE  MATES 

Marriage  may  be  perfect  marriage, 
Perfect  friendship,  perfect  love; 
If  completed  in  a  life-time. 
Or  complete  in  heaven  above ! 


FRIENDSHIP  MATES 

Friendship's  never  perfect  marriage, 
Found  on  earth  or  found  above, 
Friendship  is  not  perfect  marriage. 
Friendship  may  be  perfect  love  1 
Expressed  in  terms  of  spirit  love ! 


a  CftilD'g  ®Iimp0e  of  (goD    117 

PERFECT  UNIONS 

All    relationships    are    parts    of   God's    great 

whole. 
May  we  make  each  one  ideal 
As  a  record  on  the  scroll ! 
There  may  be  perfect  union  of  body,  mind  and 

soul; 
Or  union  be,  of  only  mind  and  soul. 
Thus   souls'-mates  may  be  marriage-mates, 
Or   friendship-mates   remain ; 
Perfect  marriage,  perfect  friendship,  too,  our 

goal ! 


ONLY  SPIRITUAL  FRUITAGE  IN  LOFTY 
FRIENDSHIP 

Friendship  purifies  of  passion, 
We  see  large  in  unselfish  fashion. 
Now  the  soul  soars  forth  and  sings. 
Wide  the  gates  of  spirit  flings ! 
The  God  within  us  bursts  his  bonds  ! 
And  mystic  powers  wield  their  wands ! 
Space  extends  beyond  conditions, 
Lights  for  us  God's  lovely  visions  ! 
All  the  future  we  may  see, — 
Time  becomes  eternity ! 


118    a  CftilO'g  (glimpge  of  <goB 

THE  DIVINITY  OF  MAN 

Growing  purer,  exalted  and  high, 

Unselfish  love  never  can  die. 

It  is  living  and  proving  heart-histories. 

That  make  up  our  lives'  deepest  mysteries. 

And  our  love  just  as  full  and  as  free 

As  true  love  can  possibly  be, 

With  space-limits  that  mankind  confine 

Is  part  of  Thy  love.  Father,  Thine. 

More,  ever  more,  give  us  more ! 

Is  the  cry  of  the  human  soul. 

Limitless,  utterly  boundless. 

Is  the  scope  of  the  human  goal. 

With  this  proof  that  our  Soul  is  Divine 

Must  it  burst  forth  and  blossom  in  Thine. 


"Nor  man  nor  nature  satisfies  whom  only  God  created." 
Elizabeth    Barrett    Browning. 

What  do  all  men  long  for? 
Earnestly  they  search. 

Why  is  every  human  heart  in  nascent  state? 
Yearning,  calling,  needing ; 
Always  searching,  seeking. 

Stepping  always  onward,  but  learning  still  to 
wait. 


3  Cf)iID'0  (Slimp0e  of  (SoO    iio 

The  "great  unrest"  is  seething: — 

Life's  warp  and  woof  have  weaving 

To  a  limitless  eternity,  from  a  limitless  un- 
known. 

The  universe  expanding! 

Is  there  then  no  ending? 

Stage  on  stage  we're  mounting,  and  blending 
with  our  own. 

Eternal  laws  are  acting, 

In  unity  compacting, 

Material,  mental,  moral,  or  spiritual,  the 
realm. 

The  evolution  grand  and  gradual. 

And  God's  love  at  the  helm ! 


THE  SOUL'S  SEARCH 

We  push  the  bounds  of  time, 
We  pierce  the  bonds  of  space. 
Enlarge  the  realm  of  thought. 
And  purify  the  love ! 
'Tis  thus  we  gain  and  grow, 
'Tis  thus  we  blend  in  God ; 
We'll  never  cease  enlarging  more 
Our  mind  and  soul  in  God! 


120    a  CJ)iID'0  (5Hmp0e  of  ©oD 


LOVE  AND  THE  MANDATES  OF  SOUL 

"The  waking  echo  of  the  heart  to  the  mandates  of  the 
riper  soul,  with  the  up-looking  love  inseparable  from 
such  secret  sympathy." — James   Martineau. 

Ah,  yes,  Love  indeed  conquers  the  whole  of  man- 
kind— 

And  yet,  not  fleeting  passions  of  immature  mind, 

But  the  passion  of  passions,  when  all  must  con- 
form, 

For  the  presence  of  God  sweeps  our  world  like 
a  storm. 

On  the  chain  of  those  precious  gems,  known  as 

men's  souls, 
With  their  myriad  flashings,  like  fiery  coals, 
Is  the  dazzling  diamond  clasp, — we  call  God. 

We  adore  from  the  first,  those  who  forward  have 

trod. 
And  all  human  the  pathway  that  leads  us  to 

God. 
How  those  souls  far  ahead  hold  our  hearts  in 

their  thrall. 
While  the  souls  just  behind  are  a-waiting  our 

call. 


3  CbilD'g  (Slimpge  of  <goD    121 

And  these  souls  that,  clear-eyed,  draw  us  on  to 

our  God 
Are  all  shining  with  halos,  of  heaven  bestowed. 
Now   conviction   and  purpose  are  writ  on  our 

scroll, 
For  our  hearts  are  awake  to  the  mandates  of 

soul. 

Comes  a  sympathy  sacred,  up-looking  the  love, 
For  our  spirits  are  bathed  in  the  glory  above; 
See  the  holy  of  holies  has  entered  our  soul. 

Dare  intrude  on  no  sanctity  due  each  young 

soul, 
As  we  draw  to  God,  helping;  all  parts  of  the 

whole. 
Ever  onward,   out-reaching,   out-yearning,  our 

need, 
As  bud,  blossom  and  fruit  are  the  sequence  of 

seed. 
Till  we're  deluged,  our  Father,  immersed  in  the 

flood 
Of  Thy  light,  and  Thy  love,  and  Thy  purity, 

God! 


VI 


A  GLIMPSE   OF   GOD   THROUGH 

RELIGION,  OR  PHILOSOPHY 

OF  RELIGION 


JOY  FOUND  IN  RELIGION 

Young  I  was,  and  sought  for  love, 
Yet  love's  yearning  fire  was  chilled. 
Sweet  a  mystic  vision  came. 
With  God,  my  awful  dark  was  filled! 

Then  conditions  all  seemed  petty, 
God  and  Soul  alone  remained ! 
And  no  matter  what  the  contest. 
Soul  with  God-soul  was  sustained ! 

Now  my  life  flowed  on  serenely, 
Home  and  children,  love  and  care. 
Kinder  love  for  each.     More  love 
With  God,  and  hourly  Prayer ! 

Again,  love  strove  to  be  unselfish^ 
And  there  burst  a  glowing  Joy, — 
Showed  I  never  found  Religion 
Till  I  found  Religion's  Joy! 

Now  I  yearned  for  Cosmic  Vision ! 
And  I  sought  God-Consciousness ! 
Worked  idtJi  God,  exulted  with  Him. 
Joy  !  I'd  found  Man's  Happiness! 
125 


126    3  CftilO'g  (gttmp0e  of  (goa 

THE  VOICE  WITHIN 

At  glad  sunrise  the  voice  within 

Spake    thus,    and    said, 
"Oh  son,  speed  forward  to  a  glorious  day, 
The  field  is  yours,  the  triumph  yours. 

And   yours    the   wayl" 

At  heated  dusty  noon,  the  voice 

Spake   still,    and    said, 
"Oh,  son,  a  steady  pace,  tho'  slower  gait, 
Give  up  the  work  for  self,  and  others 

Serve    and   wait!" 

The  sun  is  low — a  gorgeous  west. 
And    east,    and    south. 
And  north.     The  voice   says,   "Turn,  oh   son, 

from  self. 
From  others,  to  your  God.     The  God  within,  the 
God  throughout, — 
Oh,  everywhere  'tis  God !" 


THE  SOUL-LIFE  IN  A  PERSONAL  GOD 

Each  life  ascends  a  mountain  slope, 
Man  climbs  from  foot  to  crown ; 
At  each  new  rise  a  further  glimpse 
Of  God's  fair  world  is  won. 


a  Ct)itD'0  @Hmp0e  of  (5oi3    127 

Perhaps  we  reach  a  lovely  height 

When  sunrise  fair, 

Or  sunset  rare, 
Paints  blue  and  golden-brown  ! 

The  art  that  does  that  tinting 

Is  more  than  mortal  hand. 

The  brush  which  thus  has  gilded, 

To  man  is  magic  wand ! 

God's  work  bursts  full  upon  our  gaze ! 

"Where's  God?"  we  say. 

We're  looking  on 
His  love.  His  beauty  grand ! 

Each  heart  enfolds  its  heroes,  saints. 
In  time  all  love  grows  pure ; 
The  selfish  passion  and  the  greed 
Will  work  their  own  best  cure. 
Perhaps  we  grow  thus  purified 

At  life's  far  rim, 

When  eyes  are  dim. 
Or  love  of  angels  lures  ! 

The  heart  that  does  this  teaching 
Has  more  than  human  love ! 
How  fond  a  care  is  leading! 
Who  wings  each  tiny  dove? 


128    a  CftilD'g  (Stimpge  of  <goD 

Ah,  blind  our  selfish  loving, 

For  who  are  we 

Who  do  not  see 
Love  Infinite  above! 

The   mind  grows    strong,   with   wider   grasp 
From  normal  youth  to  age. 
Associations  simple,  clear. 
Lift  reason  stage  by  stage. 
Through  these  enlarging  cycles 

Wise  law  abides ; 

Life's  unified 
To  clear-eyed  seer  and  sage. 

A  mind  directs  our  careful  thoughts, 

Far-visioned,  wise,  benign. 

And  in  this  helpful  training 

We  trace  a  great  design. 

No  man  conceives  so  large  a  plan ! 
By  day,  by  night. 
Glows   clear   God's   light, 

Life's  law  and  logic  shine! 

Man  can't  conceive  landscapes  or  men 
Without  great  plan  of  loving  mind. 
To  Some-One  is  this  plan  attached, 
God  personal  we  find. 


g  CftilD'g  (glimp0e  of  <goD    129 

God  Infinite.     And  finite,  too, 

He  shines  in  me. 

He  shines  in  you, 
Adored,  near,  tender,  kind! 

A  personality  fathomless. 

Love,  beauty,  wisdom,  pow'r. 

Ah,  this  is  God!     Man's  heart,  mind,  soul 

Delve  deep  each  eon's  hour — 

Evolving  through  eternity, 

Man's  soul  nears  God, 

God's  light  lifts  man, 
From  seed  to  godlike  flower ! 

With  mind  and  heart  thus  blended  true, 
The  soul  aspires  and  grows ; 
A  loving  sympathy  it  gives, 
A  helpfulness  it  knows. 

Each  tired  heart 

Can  do  its  part 
As  soul  thus  joyous  glows! 

And  God  is  calling  to  this  Soul 
In  tones  clear,  sweet  and  strong. 
The  soul  soars  radiant  at  the  sound! 
God  called  him  all  along! 


130    a  Cf)iID'0  ©Iimp0e  of  (Soti 

His  eyes  and  heart  and  mind  were  blind, 

But  now  at  last 

Has  vision  burst ! 
God-conscious,  hear  his  song! 


SONG,— ON  TO  GOD  ! 

Lo,  He's  marking  on  the  hill-slopes, 
And  He's  writing  on  your  soul. 
So  large  that  you  may  read  it 
As  you're  dashing  to  your  goal ! 

Draw  your  rein,  and  plant  a  tear-drop, 
For  'twill  blossom  in  a  smile; 
Ah,  you  see  your  life  was  shallow? 
Now  'twill  deepen  all  the  while! 

See  the  charger  that  you're  riding 
Has  assumed  a  nobler  mien. 
And  you're  speeding  up  to  God-hood, 
Rainbowed  hills  and  vales  between. 

Ring,  ye  steeple-bells,  exultant ! 
Warm  all  eager  hearts  abroad. 
For  men  joyously  are  answering 
The  reveille  from  God ! 


a  CftilD'g  (Slimpge  of  <goD    i3i 

"WHAT  DO  I  KNOW?" 

Of  life,  this  is  the  gist: 

Seek  truth,  and  not  the  sham, 

Be  brave,  and  not  a  shrinker, 

I  know  that  /  exist! 

I  think,  and  so  I  am, 

For  thought  doth  prove  a  thinker. 

I'm  more  than  body,  more, 
And  more  than  mind  alone, 
A  ''Soul''  but  not  full-grown! 

A  mind's  clear  thinking,  should 
Trace  good  things  to  God's  good ; 
Hearts  loving  to  God's  love. 
And  true  things  to  God's  truth. 

For  Truth,  and  Love,  and  Good, 

Imply,  the  larger  source; — 

This  logic  perfect,  sure. 

Points  out  through  God,  our  course! 

And  we  are  God's  long  thoughts, 

His  thought  doth  prove  He  thinks. 

He  thinks,  and  so  he  is  ! 

And  evermore  I  reach 

To  know  my  God,  and  soul ; 

I  try  to  make  these  blend  ! 


132    a  Ct)i!D'0  (glimpge  of  (goD 

And  all  things  help  to  teach 
That  I  may  find  my  goal, 
All  perfect,  in  the  end. 


IN  HOW  MANY  WAYS  DO  I  KNOW  THE 
DIVINE? 

In  how  many  ways  do  I  know  the  Divine? 
My  Father  adored,  whom  I  long  most  to  serve? 
I  know  Him  by  instinct ;  I  find  Him  by  logic ; 
And  through  mystic  visions  I  long  to  deserve ! 
Loved  luminous  visions  from  which  I'll  not 
swerve ! 

First,  natural  impulse  on  physical  lines ; 
Then,  logic  of  inference,  cold  mental  realm; 
Third,    joyous    clear    spiritual    insight    gives 


vision 


This  universe-ship  has  our  God  at  its  helm ! 
'Tis  we  help  to  steer,  but  our  God's  at  the  helm ! 

The  natural  impulse,  the  nature  of  man 
Is  God-ward,  is  God-ly,  aspires  to  the  best; 
Thus  seeks  the  ideal  benignity,  wisdom. 
And  finds  it  in  God  who  alone  is  man's  quest : 
Although  man  oft  knows  it  not,  God  is  man's 
quest. 


a  CftilD'g  (gtimpge  of  <SoD    133 

Man  blindly  feels  unselfish  purpose  in  laws, 
He  sweetens  and  rises  in  poise  and  control, 
Nobility  felt,  and  then  lived-out  makes  stronger. 
'Tis  truly  so  natural  man's  God-growing  soul. 
God's  will  dawns  and  grows  in  man's  God-grow- 
ing soul! 

By  logic  I  know,  Le  Dieu  est  parce  qu'Il  pense, 

I  reason  God  is,  for  His  great  thoughts  I  see ; 

The  universe  purposeful !  throbbing  with  mean- 
ing! 

Thus  guiding  and  leading  all  things  which  there 
be, 

Evolving,  uplifting  all  things  which  we  *e! 

So  intellect  strengthens  my  instinct  and  impulse. 
And  buttressed  about  is  my  knowledge  of  God. 
My  brain  says  with  sanction,  "God  then  is  the 

Unity." 
Mind  stands  before  the  true  source  of  all,  awed ! 
And  sees  all  is  logic !  a  wholeness !  is  awed ! 

Then  comes  a  great  vision,  bursts  brilliant  be- 
fore me — 

Encompassing  soul-light ;  benignant  large 
peace ! 

Such  ripe  understanding!  such  knowledge  of 
soul-needs ! 


134    a  C&ilD'0  (glimp0e  of  (goO 

Behold  my  Omnipotent !    Love  ne'er  to  cease  ! 
Light,  joy,  pow'r  and  pity,  and  love  ne'er  to 
cease ! 

Vibrations  of  energy,  brilliant-light  streaming, 
Impinge  on  my  body,  mind,  soul  in  their  sway ; 
I  see  God,  I  feel  Him,  I  know  Him,  I  love  Him ; 
Ah !  how  I  will  serve  Him,  for  this  is  the  way  \ 
Now  joyous  co-working!    Ah!  this  is  the  way! 

Then  find  God  in  self  and  in  man  and  in  nature, 

Hold  God  up  to  each  as  his  ultimate  soul ! 

A  part  of  this  All-ness !  this  strong-ness !  this 

sweet-ness ! 
A  perfect  part  each  of  his  God  at  the  goal! 
One  seeks  God  direct,  and  finds  God  is  All-Soul, 
Vitalizing  each  part,  pervading  the  whole ! 


I  KNOW  I'M  IMMORTAL 

I  KNOW  the  Divine,  so  I  know  I'm  immortal, 
My  faith  makes  me  sure  that  He'll  not  lose  a 

soul; 
My  intellect  argues  if  matter's  not  lost, 
Then   surely  not   soul,  quite   as   much,   to   the 

whole. 


a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (SoD    135 

The  form  of  all  matter  is  changing  in  cycles, 
So  spirit  grows  mounting  in  spirals  toward  God ! 
Its  pathway,  oh,  then,  we're  eternally  seeking, — 
Adoring!   Co-working  1  Exultant,   and  awed! 

We're  made  individual,  do  we  stay  so  forever? 

The  same  individual,  loving,  beloved? 

Spirit  vision  informs  me  those  dear  ones  gone 

forward 
Who   communed  with  us   first,  vaguely  higher 

have  soared. 

They  impress  us  as  largely,  but  wider  their  in- 
fluence. 

Too  petty,  too  narrow,  too  selfish  are  we ; 

They've  cast  off  their  fetters,  we  hold  ours  too 
fondly 

Their  perfect  communion  to  know  and  to  see. 

As  spirit  grows  nobler,  far-visioned,  unselfish, 
Expanding  personality  grows  like  unto  God ; 
Ne'er  lost  is  the  loving,  the  love,  or  the  serving ! 
But  wid'ning  its  circle  with  purity  broad! 
With  faith  and  clear  logic  the  how  learn  from 
God! 


136    a  CfttlD'g  (glimpge  of  <go& 

UNSELFISHNESS 

Can  you  claim  to  be  unselfish? 

Do  you  sacrifice  for  others? 

Do  you  sacrifice  for  others  'cause  you  must? 

Or  do  you  love  to  do  it? 

And  to  give  your  whole  soul  to  it? 

Do  you  love  to  be  to  people  more  than  just? 

Could  you  yield  yourself  up  fully? 

After  death,  submerge  your  selfhood? 

Merge   your   selfhood,   if   't   should  prove   the 

common  call? 
If  step  by  step  we're  gaining, 
In   unselfishness   attaining, 
Here  may  be  a  step  unselfish,  for  us  all. 


EVIL  AND  FREE-WILL 

Our  God,  all-wise,  all-loving  Father,  richly  ours, 
The  One,  the  Infinite,  Eternal  Spirit,  Thou, 
From    whom    springs    man    with    all    his    rare 

prophetic  powers. 
How  largely  Thou  dost  love  him,  dost  endow ! 


a  Ct)ilD'0  (glimpge  of  <goD    137 

From    Thee — Thy   Will — springs    all,    springs 

matter,  spirit,  mind. 
All    energy    in    each    of    these    three    realms 

expressed, 
Earth,  tree,  and  beast  and  all  mankind 
Evolving  grandly  upward  in  eternal  quest. 

God  stamps  each  individual,  each  a  unit  he, 
Responsible  within  his  range,  henceforth  is  each, 
A  pow'r  within  its  limits — true  democracy — 
A  like  condition  all  the  realm  of  law  doth  teach. 

And  this  free-will  is  free  yet  bound,  is  bound 

yet  free. 
And  let  man  do  his  worst,  God's  large  plans 

shall  endure, 
Man  can  but  check,  distort,  and  thus  can  Evil 

be, 
But  still  in  everlasting  arms  is  man  secure! 

And  God  will  yet  this  man,  His  miscreant  son, 
reclaim. 

Let  so-called  "evil"  rough-shod  ride  him,  bleed- 
ing, down, 

His  God  still  holds  the  battered  shape, — the 
goal's  the  same. 

For  God  permits  the  cross,  but  plans  the  crown ! 

And  just  so  long  as  spirit's  held  in  leash,  in 
man, 


138    a  CI)nD'0  (glimpge  of  <goD 

Doth  man  insist  that  he  is  bound,  and  rests  on 

fate, 
But    as    man   God-ward   tends,    and    doth   the 

future  scan, 
There  bursts  upon  him  freedom,  large ;  and  joy, 

so  great 

That  now,  man's  will  grows  God's,  God's  will 

lights  man's, 
And  radiant,  more  and  more  toward  God,  this 

man  doth  tend ; 
And  all  man's  zealous  effort,  his  God-conscious 

plans. 
Directed  are,  to  make  men's  souls  with  God-Soul 

blend. 

As  driver  keeps  control,  yet  gives  the  horse 
rein  free, 

Or  teacher  ofF'ring  choice,  still  drops  sugges- 
tions wise; 

So  God  gives  freedom,  too,  as  fast  as  man  can 
see. 

But  guards  the  man  while  growing,  as  destined 
for  the  skies. 

As  when  your  child  comes  asking,  and  ever,  more 
and  more. 


3  Ci)iID'0  (glimpge  of  <goD    139 

If  best,  you  give,  rejoicing;  if  not,  you  must 
withhold, 

Of  goods,  of  love,  of  truth,  from  your  much 
larger  store. 

So  'tis  with  God,  our  Father,  a  thousand  thou- 
sand-fold ! 

Oh !  God,  Thou  mystic  vision !    Love,  with  depth 

undreamed ! 
All  light  and  peace  and  understanding  'round 

about  me ! 
Ev'rywhere     is     ev'rything     for     ev'ryone — it 

streamed — 
And   we  may   take,   if   right,   from   Thee   Our 

Boundless  Sea! 


THE  LOGIC  OF  INFERENCE 

We  now  melt  at  kindness,  and  marvel  at  love. 
What  raptures  ecstatic  must  greet  us  above! 

We  dream  of  the  magic  and  glory  of  Heaven! 
Who    know    of   the    sunsets    and    rainbows    of 
Earth ! 

Hushed   expectancy   waits   for   the  myst'ry   of 

Death ! 
For  us  ever  awed  at  the  Wonder  of  Birth ! 


140    a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goD 

All  men  after  heroes  have  loyally  trod, 

Ah,  how  they  shall  triumph  exultant  with  God! 


WHOLESOME   MENTAL  FOOD 

I've  always  loved  the  saddest  poems, 
And  even  when  a  little  child, 
I  think  they  forced  reaction  healthy. 
When  often  melancholy  styled. 

But  'tis  not  well  to  dwell  on  sorrow. 
And  stay  relaxed  in  awful  doom ; 
Around  the  shadow  bursts  the  sunshine, 
Joy  must  scatter  ev'ry  gloom ! 

And  I  believe  that  wholesome  reading, 
Altho'  oft  harrowing  and  sad, 
Should  make  you  walk  up  to  the  hill-top ! 
And  leave  you  true,  and  strong,  and  glad ! 


WHAT  DO  MEN  LIVE  FOR? 

What  do  men  live  for? 

They  live  to  seek  God ! 
Are  they  conscious  of  this? 

Yes,  when  aged  and  broad. 


3  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (goO    i4i 

First,  they  seek  goods, 

Thinking-  thus  they  seek  good, 
Corner'd,    weeping,    God-conscious, 

Last,  joyous,  seek  God! 


TWO  GOOD  MEN 
One, 

A  peace-maker,  one  beloved  of  man, 

For  he  was  a  kindly  Samaritan: 

Patient,  and  tender,  and  tireless,  till 

He  taught  them  to  strengthen  a  weaker  will. 

Another, 

He  fought  to  better  all  wrongs  he  saw, 
A  reformer  zealous,  he  forced  a  law: 
Often  hated,  intrepid  still 
He  helped  them  in  spite  of  their  blocking  will. 

One  loved  all  men,  all  men  loved  him ; 

One  loved  all  men,  their  hate  made  him  grim ! 

One  enlightened  them  man  by  man. 

On  masses  the  other's  large  influence  ran. 

Now  which  was  really  the  lover  of  man? 
Both  you  say,  and  I  hold  it's  true. 


142    a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  <goD 

Shall  we  graft  the  tree?  or  hack  and  hew? 
Heart  and  brain  together  grown 
Can  always  do  more  than  either  alone. 


MORE  LIGHT,  MORE  LOVE 

I  NEED  more  light,  my  Father, 

For  suddenly  I  fail; 

Though   seeing,   mists    surround   me, 

Intentions  seem  so  frail! 

Melt,  oh,  melt  this  haze  away. 

Clear,  shine  clear,  oh.  Sun,  all  day! 

Pour  me  more  love,  my  Father, 

Fill  full  the  Holy  Grail ; 

That  I,  in  turn,  may  love  more. 

And  loving  never  pale. 

For  brooding  love  for  all,  I  yearn. 

Return,  God's  love  for  all,  return! 


O  WHERE? 

O  WHERE  is  the  sympathy  longed  for? 

0  where,  understanding  of  heart? — 
Large  and  many  the  lapses  of  mortals — 

1  seek  God,  and  these  fountains  all  start! 


a  CftilD'g  (SHmpge  of  (goO    143 

You,  too,  long  for  sympathy  sorely? 
You,  too,  understanding  of  heart? 
Ah,  dear  God,  let  me  give  to  this  brother 
A  tender  and  fatherly  part! 


GOD'S  WAY 

Whenever  need  is  real, 
It  surely  will  be  met; 
Reaction  starts  a  striving, 
And  what  man  needs,  he'll  get. 

Let  man  distort,  create  a  need, 
God  teaches  man  to  meet  it; 
Until  the  void  is  filled,  his  God 
Will  help  the  man  complete  it. 

And  whether  in  a  single  life, 
Or  whether  for  a  race, 
God  manifests,  in  each  man's  soul 
And  in  each  age  and  place. 

Be  sure  you're  yearning  deeply. 
To  find  what  God  calls  light; 
He'll  satisfy  completely, 
He'll  show  you  what  is  right. 


144    a  Ct)iID'g  (gHmp0e  of  <goD 

But  cast  off  hindrances ! 
Your  prayer  intensely  true ! 
You  must  be  greatly  earnest ! 
Then  God  will  come  to  you, 
In  stillness  shine  in  you. 


DUTY  AND  LOVING  SERVICE 

I  HATE  you,  duty ! 
You've  no  heart! 
Depart ! 

Loving  service 
Here's  my  hand! 
Command ! 


DUTY  MADE  LOVING  SERVICE 

Cold  duty  is  crushing! 

Loving  service  is  joyous! 
To  make  duty  lovely  is  what  I  must  try. 

I  see  this  so  clearly, 

O  help  me  more  nearly, 
To  see  as  God  sees,  purpose  joyous  and  high! 


a  Cf)iID'0  (glimpge  of  (SoD    U5 

Like  Lincoln,  scan  each  man 

With  interest  kindly, 
See  large  possibilities !  Spark  of  Divine ! 

Give  credit !  Help  onward  ! 

Awaken  the  best  in  him ! 
There's  destined  for  each  soul  nobility  fine! 

So  love  The  Divine, 

That  all  service  is  blissful, 
Help  all  of  His  children,  for  wide  is  God's  field ! 

Give  love,  where  there's  hatred ! 

Compassion,  for   anger ! 
Ask  God  how  He  does  this,  His  love  be  your 
shield ! 


DUTY  MADE  EASILY  LOVING  SERVICE 

For  untold  years  our  poor  old  world  has  heard 
of  duty, 

For  untold  years,  though  groaning,  done  its 
duty  ^vell; 

But  now  the  vision  of  our  near  and  loving 
Father, 

Shows  us  radiant  heaven  for  the  old  and  out- 
worn hell. 

Shows  us  no  more  cold  and  hard  and  wearing 
duty, 


146    a  Cf)ilD'g  (gltmpge  of  <gon 

But  a  chance  to  do  a  loving  service  here, 
For  a  loving  God  we  love  beyond  expression, 
Whose  Love  and  Joy  we  hold  above  all  dear. 
No  sacrifice  is  here  when  love  is  pure,  unselfish. 
God  and  soul  are  real;  conditions  are  the  toy. 
Our  corner  is  a  paradise  of  regal  Vision — 
No   sorrow  here ;   with   God  we   glory, — all   is 
growth  and  Joy! 


MAN  IS  DIVINE 

Our  Father,  may  we  clearly  see 

That  we,  like  Thee,  may  God-like  be. 

All  love  we  trace  to  some  heart  dear, 

'Tis   all   from  Thee, — love's   source;  how  near 

Must  be  Thy  heart  to  each  child-heart, 

Thy  soul  the  whole,  each  soul  a  part. 

Dear  God,  give  me  my  magic  wand, — 
Of  vision  far,  and  wondrous  plan, — ■ 
That  I  may  wield  it  with  such  grace 
That  radiant  joy  takes  sorrow's  place, 
That  duty,  loving  service  prove. 
And  all  my  wish,  like  Thine,  be  love. 

In  every  thought  and  act  each  day, 
I  have  my  chance  this  wand  to  sway, 


a  Ci)nD'0  (gitmpge  of  <goD    147 

And  uplift  find  in  every  pain, 

And  turn  each  hardship  into  gain. 

With  love  like  Thine  my  heart  shall  beat, 

And  all  the  bitter  render  sweet: 

That  all  the  hard  and  angry  tones 

May  melt  into  Thy  purest  ones. 

So  help  each  child  of  Thine  to  see 

His  soul  has  God-like  majesty! 

Each  hand  in  Thine,  shall  tune  its  lyre, 

And  joy  to  serve!  Each  heart  on  fire! 

Were  we  a  child  of  royal  blood. 

We'd  live  as  every  noble  should ; 

How  true,  how  pure,  how  great,  how  good 

On  finding  we're  a  child  of  God ! 

So  through  our  greater  loyalty 

We'll  prove  our  nobler  royalty: 

With  soul  and  heart  and  hand  in  Thine, 

We'll  prove  Thou  made  us !  We're  Divine  I 


GOD'S  BENIGNITY 

I  MARVEL  at  sight  of  God's  beautiful  balance  I 

The  balance  of  laws  in  His  plan! 

So  arranged  as   to  meet   every   possible   shift- 

Just  suggests  comprehension  to  man! 


148    a  Cf)ilD'0  (Slimp0e  of  (5oD 

Altho'  it  all  counts,  makes  life  easy  or 
harder, — 

Whether  soiled  man's  garments,  or  sodden  his 
sin, — 

God  so  loves  His  child,  so  benign  is  God's  pur- 
pose. 

Thro'  man's  god-like  nature,  God  compels  man 
to  win! 


GODLIKE 

You  and  I  are  godlike  in  nature. 
You  and  I  are  made  of  God-grace; 
Now  we  see  how  our  free-will   aspiring, 
'Comes  God's  will !  and  heav'n  is  our  place. 

You  and  I  have  a  godlike  nature. 

For  we're  leavened  with  God's  own  soul ; 

We're  bound  to  grow  more  and  more  godly 

As  time  into  eons  shall  roll! 

With  our  free-will  and  godlike  nature, 

Man's  will  must  be  God's  will  at  goal. 

Gray  mists  rolling  off  may  reveal  us 

Perfect  parts  of  a  great  perfect  whole ! 


a  Ci)tlti^0  aiimp0e  of  aod    i49 

COME  UP  TO  THE  HILLS  OF  VISION 

Lo,   the  valley   of  worry,   cold  duty   and  pain 
Is  the  place  where  most  people  unthinking  re- 
main. 

Ah,  we'll  try  for  God-A'ision,  and  climb  to  the 

heights ! 
And  joy  floods  our  day-times,  stretches  through 

our  dim  nights. 

For   the   vision   that's    clear,   and   the   thought 

that  soars  high 
See  the  glory  and  grandeur  of  God  in  the  sky, — 

Yonder  purple  and  gold  is  His  regal  estate ! 
Streaking    sunset    with    Presence,    the    hillside 
His   slate. 

From  now  on,  from  all  selfishness  risen  above, 
Strong  and  tender  we'll  mount  to  His  vision  of 
love ! 

Yea,  the  habit  of  God's  loving  service  we'll  don, 
Opportunity  great  ever  calling  us  on ! 

Oh,   then  lead  us.   Our  Father,  each  day  and 

each  hour ! 
Thy  love  fires  our  rapt  souls,  and  bursts  forth 

with  Thy  power ! 


150    3  Ci)iID'0  (glimpge  of  (Son 

VISION 

Father,  give  me  vision  now, — 
Soaring  mounts  my  soul  to  Thee! 
Here  and  everywhere  art  Thou, 
Where  so  e'er  Thou  art,  lead  me! 
Till  my  love  like  Thine  in  scope, 
Touches  all  in  joyous  hope! 
Till  my  faith  like  Thine  can  see 
All  is  ever  nearing  Thee ! 
Till   my  joy  o'er  all  shall  burst, 
Wonder-filled,  in  rev'rence  lost ! 
Seeing  all  Thy  marvel  wrought ! 
Soul  on  soul  in  rapture  caught ! 


VISION-JOY 

I  LONG  for  far-vision !  God-vision ! 
I  long  to  hold  firm  to  this  light ! 

'Tis    shining ! 

I  see  it! 

Possess  me !  Obsess  me !  I  love  Thee ! 
To  serve  Thee !  What  Joy  is  in  sight ! 

Thy  helper ! 

I'll  be  it! 


a  €i)iW^  (Slimpge  of  <goD    loi 

GOD  IS  JOY 

From  our  fulness  of  heart  we  pour  forth  our 

true  praise, — 
All  our  love  finding  Thine  turns  to  joy  and  to 

serve, — 
See  all  beautiful  nature  is  singing  Thy  beauty ! 
Our  hearts  like  true  magnets  from  Thy  heart 

won't  swerve! 
And  our  minds  seeking  Thine,  much  of  wisdom 

may  master ! 
Our  souls  with  sails  set,  leap  to  Thine  as  our 

goal ! 
Thou  art  Infinite  Loving  and  Infinite  Wisdom ! 
Thou  art  Infinite  Rapture,  great  Infinite  Soul ! 


OH,  LET  THE  GOD  WITHIN  UNFOLD ! 

As  lustrous  films  from  God-land  come  we, 

Will-o-the-wisps,  we  go  astray. 

God's  laws  of  progress  lead  us  onward 

From  downward  to  the  upward  way, 

Discovering  our  divine  allegiance. 

And  Love  Divine,  this  love  doth  say, — 

Thus    constituted    individual,    I    will    set    this 

soul-light  free, 
'Tis  of  my  love,  and  through  this  yearning  love, 


152    a  CftilD'g  (glimpge  of  (SoD 

Back  it  must  grow  to  me! 

Thus  shall  we  evolve, 

Evolving  with  us  in  our  growth, 

Matter  and  mind,  or  energy. 

For  into  energy  are  transmuted  matter,  mind 

and  soul. 
And  holy  love  in  time  will  make 
Our  soul  so  rare,  unselfish. 
That  this  unselfishness. 
This  universality,  will  grow  a  God. 
As  God,  our  soul  will  share  with  God, 
In  thus  creating  Intelligent-Divinity, — 
From  all  matter  and  mind,  from  all  energy, 
Evolved  by  means  of  individualized  soul-light, — 
Gods  we  will  create  through  all  eternity 
Of  time   and  space,   and  power  and  love. 


I  DON'T  THINK  I'VE  TOLD  YOU 

I  don't   think   I've  told  you, 
Of  half  of  the  great  charm. 
That  living  with  God  has  for  me ! 
It  makes  hard  times  petty, — 
But  everything  sacred; 
You  try  it,  and  then  you  will  see ! 

I  don't  think  I've  told  you 
Of  half  of  the  great  joy, 


3  Cl)tID'0  (Slimpge  of  (goD    158 

That  loving  with  God  has  for  me! 
It  makes  me  love  people, 
In  more  the  right  way,  dear. 
You  try  it,  and  then  you  will  see! 


JOY  WITH  GOD 

Inspired  by  souls  nobler. 

Who  onward  have  trod, 
Oh  my  greatest  of  pleasure. 

Is  loving  with  God! 

Is  loving. 

Is   serving. 

Is  loving  with  God! 

Helping  all  the  trend  upward. 

With  self-control  shod, 
O  my  greatest  of  happiness — 

Working  with  God! 

Is  working. 

Is  planning, 

Is  working  with  God! 

Pouring  light  in  men's  souls. 
Or  at  toil  on  the  sod, 

Satisfaction  of  spirit 
Is  vision  with  God ! 
Is  vision, 


154    a  Ct)ilCi'0  (Slimp0e  of  <SoD 


Is  seeing, 

Is  vision  with  God! 


Seeing  others  illumined, 

And  life  nobly  trod. 
My  highest  of  ecstasy, 

Joying  with  God ! — 

Is  joying, 

Rej  oicing. 

Is  joying  with  God! 

And  when  life  shall  be  over. 

From  cradle  to  sod. 
Oh,  my  royalest  yearning 

Is  going  to  God ! 

Is  goingj 

Is  growing, 
Is  going  to  God ! 


HEAVEN 

'Tis  sweet  to  make  Heav'n  here  on  earth 
This  is  why  God  gave  us  birth; 
But  after  loving  service  here, 
A  sweeter,  larger  service  There ! 


3  Ci)iID'0  <Slimp0e  of  ©oD    155 


TO  MAMMA* 

Serene   and  strong  and   beautiful, 

And  serious  and  kind, 
All  the  world  would  love  to  claim  thee. 

Mother-mine. 
Thy  soul  that  sees  the  distant,  too. 

Thy  balancing  of  mind 
We  come  to  thee  as  justice. 

We   are   safe   in   hands    of   thine. 
Teach  us  how  to  follow  after, 

Mother-mine. 

The  wee  one  christened  by  thee,  here. 

And,  for  thee,  in  rich  love. 
May  she  evolve  as  sweetly 

As  she  looks  to  th'  hills  above. 
And  to  thee,  our  lofty  mountain. 

Sunny  crowned,  with  breezes  fanned. 
With  noble  brow  so  snowy. 

Standing  clear  and  calm  and  grand. 

We  love  thee,  lovely  mother, 

Show  us  how  to  serve  thee  best. 

Teach  us  where  the  world  needs  helping, 
Needs   comforting,  needs  rest. 

*  Rev.  Antoinette  Brown  Blackwell,  D.  D.  On  a 
family  occasion  of  her  eightieth  birthday  and  her 
christening  of  her  granddaughter. 


156    a  CftilD'g  @Ump0e  of  (g^oD 

And  our  ideals,  make  them 

The  simphcity  jou  chose, 
As  our  eighty  years  win  onward, 

Give  us  of  thy  sweet  repose. 


OUR  PIONEER 

1911 

This  mother  of  ours,  is  of  eighty-six  summers, 

And  eighty-six  winters,  as  each  of  us  knows. 

In    her   eyes    see    the    eighty-six    summers    are 

dancing. 

And   on   her   clear   brow   are  the  eighty-six 

snows. 

A  year  up  in  Mars  is  just  two  years  with  us? 

Then  mother  in  Mars  would  be  just  forty- 
three  ? 
The  loveliest  age   for  all  sorts  of  success ! 

Not  riding,  but  running  an  auto,  she'd  be ! 

More  fair  than  on  earth,  more  young  than  in 
Mars, 
Must  be  all  the  souls  up  in  Heav'n  I  ween. 
I  think  we  will  find  if  we  peep  thro'  the  curtain 
When  Mamma  reaches  Heav'n,  she'll  be  just 
sweet  sixteen ! 


3  €t)ilD'0  aiimp0e  of  @oD    157 

Then  think  of  the  ages  of  infinite  time ! 

And   think,    as   still   growing,   her   beautiful 
soul ! 
Through  millions  of  May-times,  ah,  still  we'll 
adore  her, 
As  onward  the  eons  on  eons  shall  roll ! 

But    the   knowing   she's    with   us,   makes    work 

greatly  stronger, 

Her  four  earthly  children  still  need  her  I  ken ! 

Divine   Father,   long,   long   may  we   have   her, 

our  mother, 

Long,  ere  at  Thy  taking,  we  must  say  Amen ! 

So  speaking  or  writing,  still  give  of  thy  wis- 
dom ! 
Still  plant  sturdy  trees  on  thy  ocean  frontier ! 
In  suffrage  parades,  or  in  God's  work  in  pul- 
pits. 
Hurrah  for  our  Mother !  Our  brave  pioneer ! 


TO  PAPA  IN  HEAVEN  * 

"And   his   children    rise   up    and    call   him    blessed." 

Freed,  exalted,  Victor  thou ! 
Resting  in  the  deeps  of  love — 
Peace ! 
*  Samuel    C.    Blackwell. 


158    a  CftilD'g  aiimpge  of  <goti 

Nestling  on  the  heart  of  God — 

Peace ! 
Buoyed  by  eternal  arms, 
Rolling  off  the  long,  long  cares, 
Saintly  spirit  know  thy  home. 
Peace ! 


TO  REV.  ROBERT  COLLYER 

VALENTINE 

A  uon's  head! 
A  heart  of  gold ! 
Beaming  radiance 
Manifold ! 

Warming  sympathy's 
High-tide ; 
With  generosity 
Allied! 

A  boundless  trust! 
A  hopeful  goal! 
A  grasp  at  the  roots ! 
A  poet's  soul ! 

A  serene  content ! 
Simple-hearted  truth ! 
A  gleam  of  fun ! 
An  eternal  youth ! 


a  CfttlD'g  (Slimpge  of  <goD    159 

TO  REV.  ROBERT  COLLYER,  D.D. 

ON   HIS  EIGHTY-FIFTH   BIRTHDAY 

Grand  old  mountain,  hoary-headed, 
Rosy-crowned  with  sunshine  wedded, 
With  a  majesty  of  bearing. 
Blending  human  and  divine, 
So  rarely  human,  true  divine. 

Large,  courageous,  tender  hero, 
Forging  out  our  human  souls 
Upon  our  ringing  anvil-hearts, 
The  human  heart, 
Here  you  grandly  do  your  part. 

At   your   name,   all   eyes   must  brighten. 

Hearts    must    soften,    souls    must    strengthen, 

And  your  life  thus  spreading  outward, 

Beaming  outward. 

Untold  years  on  earth  must  lengthen. 

With  a  dream  of  sun-lit  blossoms. 

Writing  with  that  rugged  grace ! 

See  him  sitting  calmly,  waiting. 

Eager,  waiting. 

The  divine  light  on  his  face ! 


160    a  Cftiia'0  (aiimpge  of  <goO 

A  PRESENCE 

A  PRESENCE  calmed  my  mid-night  hour, — 

'Twas  filled  with  guarding  strength  and  power. 

Large,  benign. 

Grave  and  kind, 

Leading   on   toward  death's   bright   flower ! 


DEATH 

Death  is  vision, 

Death  is  light, 

Death  is  winning  larger  sight! 

Death  is  wisdom, 

Left  the  toy. 

Death  is   seeing  nobler  joy! 

Larger  purpose, 

Greater  power. 

Purer  love  is  death's  sweet  dower ! 

Death  is  lighting 

Loved  ones  here, — 
Souls  with  vision,  dry  the  tear. 

Free  me,  winged 

Spirit-breath ! 
At  God's  signal,  take  me.  Death! 


3  Cf)iID'0  (Slimp0e  of  (SoD    i6i 


GLORY  OF  DEATH!* 

God  in  His  wisdom, 

God  in  His  mercy, 

God  in  His  loving  kindness  to  all, 

Gathers  His  weak  ones. 

Gathers  His  frail  ones. 

Home  at  the  sound  of  His  tender  call ! 

These  are  not  our  souls. 

These  are  God's  own  souls, 

God  knows  the  time  when  each  one  shall  come 

Out  of  the  God-land  sent  here  below, 

Lent  for  our  growth  on, 

Sent  for  their  growth  up, 

God  knows   the   time  when  each  one  shall  go ! 

Warmth  of  divine  love, 

Then  re-creates  them. 

Light  of  divine  joy  gives  spirit-breath: 

Thus  God  refreshes. 

Thus  are  souls  lifted, 

Joyous  and  god-like !  Glory  of  Death ! 

Radiant  vision, 

Self-love  is  vanquished. 

Clear-eyed    the    insight,    gold    from    alloy. 

Real,  the  ideal, — 

*  Read    at   the   cremation   of  Emily   Blackwell,   M.D., 
Boston,  1910. 


162    a  CftilD'0  ®limp0e  of  (Son 

Loving  as  God  loves, 

Serving  from  loving,  blissful  God-Joy ! 

Then  we  will  weep  not ! 

Then  we'll  be  brave  hearts ! 

Onward  our  work  calls !  Prove  love  and  faith ! 

They  are  God's  helpers, 

Guarding  us  safe  now, 

Joyous  their  service !  Glory  of  Death ! 

Paeans  of  praise  then. 

Let  them  ring  loudly ! 

God  gave  us  birth,  and  God  gives  us  death! 

Leading  us  onward. 

Drawing  us  upward, 

See  the  realms  radiant !  Glory  of  Death ! 


GENERAL  LIBRARY 
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